Christian Reformed Church Wellawatte

In the bustling suburb of Wellawatte, where the salt-tinged sea breeze dances with the noise of buses and the calls of shopkeepers, stands a church that has borne silent witness to over a century of devotion. Its story, however, reaches much further back, into the 17th century, when Dutch settlers first brought the Reformed faith to the shores of Sri Lanka. Anchored in Scripture and discipline, this faith would evolve across centuries, outlasting empires and binding together Sinhala, Tamil, and Burgher believers into one family of worship.

By the early 1900s, Colombo’s southern suburbs were rapidly expanding. Families were settling in Bambalapitiya, Dehiwela, and Wellawatte, far from the main Dutch Reformed Church at Wolvendaal. Their longing for a closer place of worship planted the first seeds of the Wellawatte congregation. The story truly took root on 6th November 1908, when Mr. J. E. Christoffelsz opened his home on Frances Road to 29 children for Sunday School the seeds of Christian education were planted.

Growth came swiftly. By 1912, the Sunday School had moved to St. Lawrence’s School, thanks to the generosity of the Misses Poulier, and later to the old Wesleyan Chapel on High Street. A Guild was established in 1917, and by the following year 52 Presbyterian families called Wellawatte and Dehiwela home. Recognizing this growth, the Consistory at Wolvendaal approved regular services for the Wellawatte faithful. On 11th August 1918, the first service was held at the Hall of King’s College, Arethusa Lane, where 66 adults and 15 children gathered under Rev. G. H. P. Leembruggen’s leadership.

Soon, the congregation dreamed bigger. In 1919, the Consistory purchased “Arethusa Villa,” a bold and costly move that gave the church its first permanent home. On 1st May 1920, the “New Hall” opened for worship. It became a hub of activity—hosting the first Communion service in 1922. The arrival of Rev. John O. Schuring in 1943 energized the congregation further. The Sunday School expanded, and the call for a new church grew louder. That dream was realized and In 1952, the long-awaited new church was dedicated—a sanctuary born of nearly half a century of faith and resilience.

By 1959, an Assembly Hall later called Calvin Hall was built. It served both the Sunday School and district needs and the Budget Envelope System of Tithing, introduced in 1960, ensured financial sustainability. The Calvin Youth League, founded later that year, became the lifeblood of the young, raising funds, rebuilding the old belfry, and fueling the spirit of service. A Vacation Bible School was launched in 1970 and quickly became an annual event cherished by all.

Wellawatte gained its own Local Consistory on 1959, but with time, the boundaries shifted. In 1975, Wellawatte and Nugegoda were combined into one consistory, and later, in 1977, it was merged with Bambalapitiya into a central Colombo consistory—while still retaining its identity. Anniversaries marked the passage of time: the Silver Jubilee of the church building in 1977 and the Diamond Jubilee of the congregation’s work in 1978.

Through decades, the Christian Reformed Church Wellawatte became more than just a building—it was a meeting place for generations. Services were often shared with neighboring congregations, such as those in Bambalapitiya, symbolizing unity within the wider Reformed family. Today, the church still stands as a beacon of quiet strength amid the rush of Colombo life. Its walls carry the whispers of history—of Dutch pioneers, Burgher families, and modern Sri Lankan worshippers—woven together in a single story of faith. The Christian Reformed Church in Wellawatte is not just a monument to the past; it is a living testimony that the seeds planted long ago continue to bear fruit, drawing people to God in the heart of a bustling city.