St.Michael’s Church Koralawella Celebrates Feast Today

St Michael's Church, Koralawella

St. Michael’s Church, Koralawella is the oldest Catholic church in the Moratuwa area. It is 160 years old in 2020.The celebration is on September 29 and the Festive mass will be presided by chief celebrant, Rt Rev Dr Valence Mendis, Bishop of Chilaw, a son of Koralawella.

About the year 530 Pope Boniface II on September 29 dedicated All The Angels  Church at Rome to St.Michael, the Archangel. 

Since then, the feast of St.Michael is celebrated on this day throughout the Catholic World.  

In the year 530 Pope Boniface II chose September 29 formerly dedicated to all the Angels to dedicate the church at Rome to St.Michael, the Archangel. Since then, the feast of St.Michael is celebrated on this day throughout the Catholic World

St.Michael is acknowledged as the warrior who continues the battle against the devil till the second coming of Christ, St.Michael is also the guardian of Christians and the church. There is a belief which says that St.Michael was the first protector of Moratuwa. From the very inception the Christian community of Koralawella  came under the Moratuwa mission.  

In the year 1860, Wannakuwatta Waduge Jusey Fernando and others of Koralawella donated a block of land to Mgr Joseph Maria Bravi, OSB, Vicar Apostolic of Colombo to build a church for Koralawella. Rev.Fr. Bondoni, then Parish Priest of the Moratuwa mission commenced the construction of the Church. Fr Bergeretti, a great builder of churches, improved and extended the Koralawella Church. According to ancient writings Mgr Christoper Bonjon, OMI, who made the pastoral visit to Koralawella on January 12, 1890. The significant event of the Blessing of St Michael’s Church was done by Mgr Andrew Melizan OMI, the Bishop of Colombo July 30, 1894. This great event took place during Moratuwa Parish priest Fr Millots time.  

In,1927 Rev.Fr.Mazoyer (1925-32) parish priest of Moratuwa sent his assistant,Fr. Wilfred Benedict for work in the Katukurunda and Koralawella churches. Under the guidance of Fr Mazoyer, he renovated the whole church and significant improvements, like the upstairs for the choir and the altar in Burma teak had been added. In 1931 the Katukurunda Mission was commenced attaching the Koralawella and Sarikkanmulla Parishes, independent from the Moratuwa Parish. Prior to the centenary jubilee celebrations which were held on May 8,1960 two new church wings and the sanctuary were constructed. These new wings were blessed  and opened by His Grace the Archbishop of Colombo. 

In the year 1860, Wannakuwatta Waduge Jusey Fernando and others of Koralawella donated a block of land to Mgr Joseph Maria Bravi, OSB, Vicar Apostolic of Colombo to build a church for Koralawella

The 125th jubilee celebration was held in 1985, under the guidance of Rev.Fr. Cyril Perera. The 150th jubilee celebration was celebrated in 2010, under the guidance of Rev.Fr. Leo Cammillus. The 160th jubilee will be celebrated under the guidance of Rev. Fr. Ajith Appuhamy, the present parish priest of Koralawella.

Chinthaka de Mel Moratuwa