Holy Cross Church, Gampaha is a Roman Catholic church located in Gampaha, Sri Lanka. It was founded in 1916 as a parish church of the Archdiocese of Colombo.Parishes and Churches of the Archdiocese of Colombo. The church is nicknamed "Gal Palliya/ගල් පල්ලිය" meaning "Rock Church" since the church facade is encrusted with gneiss stone.
History
A Holy Cross Church was known to be located near the heart of Gampaha during the Portuguese ruling period in Sri Lanka(1505–1658).Rev. Fr. Fernao De Queyroz(1617-1688). The Temporal and Spiritual Conquest of Ceylon This was during the reign of King Rajasingha II (1629–1687), the third king of the Kingdom of Kandy in Sri Lanka.
In 1658 the Dutch expelled Portuguese and took control over some parts of Sri Lanka. The Dutch era was known to be a disastrous time for Sri Lankan Catholics since they were opposed to the Roman Catholicism and other traditional religions. The original church was abandoned and was completely ruined.
On 7 May 1916, the groundbreaking was done for a new church building under the guidance of Rev.Fr. Gregorius Silva, the Head of Weliweriya deanery. The church was completed and opened to the public in 1918.
Apostolic blessing An Apostolic Blessing certificate was received from Pope John Paul II for the 75th anniversary of Holy Cross Church in 1991.
Relics held
Tiny wood fragment from the very own cross which Jesus died is kept away from elements inside a solar monstrance inspired reliquary.
Parish priests and assistant priests PriestTime periodRev.Fr. Gregory Silva1910 - 1922Rev.Fr. P J Dominic O.M.I.1922 - 1934Rev.Fr. Alexis Seru O.M.I.1930 - 1931Rev.Fr. J M Kerbul O.M.I.1932 Feb - SepRev.Fr. J Santiago1932 - 1933Rev.Fr. D B Jacqualine1933 - 1934Rev.Fr. Joseph Aloxias O.M.I.1934 - 1935Rev.Fr. A Godwin Fernando1935 - 1937Rev.Fr. Peter Fernando1937 Sep - DecRev.Fr. A Marges O.M.I.1938 - 1940Rev.Fr. F Desigo O.M.I.1938 - 1940Rev.Fr. L M V Thomas O.M.I.1941 - 1943Rev.Fr. Elias Weerakkody O.M.I.1943 - 1947Rev.Fr. Julius Wijesuriya O.M.I.1947 - 1949Rev.Fr. Philip C Dissanayaka O.M.I.1949 - 1955Rev.Fr. J L Mique O.M.I.1955 - 1961Rev.Fr. Kingsley Perera1961 - 1965Rev.Fr. Emil Perera O.M.I.1965 - 1966Rev.Fr. Reginold De Silva O.M.I.1966 - 1967Rev.Fr. J Edwin Fernando1967 - 1971Rev.Fr. Stanely Wedasinghe1971 - 1971 JulyRev.Fr. Don Tuder Paulinus O.M.I.1971 - 1975Rev.Fr. Petrik M Fernando1975 - 1976Rev.Fr. Don Tuder Paulinus O.M.I.1976 - 1979Rev.Fr. D A Dasanayaka O.M.I.1979 - 1980Rev.Fr. Lewge Hettiarachchi O.M.I.1980 - 1987Rev.Fr. Arnest Premasiri O.M.I.1987 Mar - SepRev.Fr. Sarath Silva O.M.I.1987 Sep - 1988 AugRev.Fr. P Satanis Lourse O.M.I.1988 - 1993Rev.Fr. Siril Perera O.M.I.1993 - 1995Rev.Fr. Bernard Nevil1995 - 2001Rev.Fr. Edmund Thilakaratne2001 Jan - 2002 OctRev.Fr. Canitius Moraes2002 - 2007Rev.Fr. Kingsley Iwan Appuhami2008 - 2013 MayRev.Fr. Hemantha Perera2013–present
Assistant priests NameTime periodRev.Fr. Edward Pieris1932 - 1933Rev.Fr. D Senanayake1935 Jan - AugRev.Fr. L Didelo O.M.I.1940 - 1942Rev.Fr. O J Perera O.M.I.1942Rev.Fr. V Koopel O.M.I.1949 Jan - AugRev.Fr. Reginold De Silva O.M.I.1940 - 1951Rev.Fr. M Emmanuel O.M.I.1951 - 1953Rev.Fr. Philip De Silva O.M.I.1953 - 1955Rev.Fr. Leon Babapulile O.M.I.1990 - 1991
Namesakes Other Holy Cross Churches in the Archdiocese of Colombo, Sri Lanka;
Holy Cross Church, Pulasthigama, Anuradhapura Holy Cross Church, Kalutara Holy Cross Church, Mahahunupitiya, Negombo Holy Cross Church, Mirigama Holy Cross Church, Tarala, Pugoda
References
75th Holy Cross Church Anniversary Souvenir - 1991 September The Archdiocese of Colombo Christian Aggression Religion and Nationalism in Nineteenth Century Sri Lanka - Christian Missionaries and Their Critics (A Review Article by K M de Silva)