Visit St. Wolvendaal Church in Colombo

One of the best Protestant Churches in Colombo is Wolvendaal Church. The best thing about this Church is its ambiance. Unlike other churches that exude a religious sparkle, St. Wolvendaal is actually eerie. With a surprisingly somber atmosphere and a sense of history, it absolutely makes sense to visit St. Wolvendaal Church. The church was built in 1749 by the Dutch in Pettah, Colombo and has a typical old building ambiance to it. It is not musty, by any means, but it is easy to see that it has endured ages in history. Overlooking the church premises is a graveyard full of tombs dating back to 1750.

Culture and Architecture

Pettah is a busy place. In sharp contrast to the hustle and bustle of daily life lies the church. It is a great idea to visit St. Wolvendaal Church just to see the contrast firsthand. Decorated with beautiful Dutch murals, this church has a certain gravity. Despite its age-worn appearance and eerie ambiance, St Wolvendaal’s Church is not abandoned. Every Sunday it hosts a lively service that brings people together. Visit St. Wolvendaal Church on a Sunday to see how spiritual the place truly is. Apart from this marriage ceremonies, baptisms, name day celebrations, and funeral services all take place here.

Folklore and History

All the buzz and people notwithstanding, the church retains a certain sobriety and composure. Another remarkable feature that makes it absolutely worthwhile to visit St. Wolvendaal Church is its high windows and doors. In fact, thinking of just windows and doors makes it sound very bland. These are simply enormous windows and doors built in an old fashion that almost touch the ceiling from the ground up. Built in a place that was once known as ‘Wolf’s Dale’, St. Wolvendaal Church is named after the same and is now among one of the most frequented hotspots in Colombo. The pulpit, choir, altar, and pews are all carved out of wood and paint an exquisite picture.

Visit St. Wolvendaal Church to experience the taste of Dutch Colonial architecture and history. There are numerous relics of colonial history preserved within St. Wolvendaal Church. The fact that this place has not seen any restorative work lends a ring of authenticity to the historical place. From the original box locks and escutcheon on the doors to English armchairs and early Dutch chairs, this church preserves time itself. There is even a nineteenth-century pipe organ for open viewing. Possibly one of the oldest buildings in Colombo, its unique architecture and historical significance invites history buffs all over the world to visit St. Wolvendaal Church. Well worth the visit, this church is one of the top places to visit in Colombo.