St. Sebastian's Church, Wellaweediya

The St. Sebastian’s Church, Negombo also known as St. Sebastian’s Church, Wellaweediya is a Roman Catholic church in Negombo, in Sri Lanka.[1] It is patterned on the Reims Cathedral in France, and is built in Gothic Revival style.[2] Saint Sebastian is the patron saint of the city of Negombo.

Not to be confused with St. Sebastian's Church, Katuwapitiya, targeted in the 2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings.

St. Sebastian’s Church, Negombo
Religion
AffiliationRoman Catholic
RiteLatin Rite
Location
LocationNegombo, Sri Lanka
Architecture
Architect(s)Fr. G. Gannon
TypeChurch
StyleGothic Revival
Groundbreaking2 February 1936
Completed1946

Location

The church is located on the San Sebastian street in Negombo.[3]

History

The church was designed by Father G. Gannon, parish priest of Sea Street. Although the foundation stone was laid by the Archbishop of Colombo, Pierre-Guillaume Marque, on 2 February 1936, construction was not completed until ten years later. It replaced a smaller church to accommodate the increasing number of parishioners in the catholic majority city.[3] It is said to be modeled in Gothic Revival style on the lines of the Reims Cathedral in France. A shadow of this church is seen in the Negombo Lagoon.[2]

This church is one of the many churches in Sri Lanka dedicated to St Sebastian who is considered a martyr in the Catholic Church history. His veneration is particularly celebrated seeking relief from epidemics. A festival called the "Feast of St Sebastian" is held every year here during the month of January.[4] A tali drama narrating the Life of Sebastian used to be enacted here before 1950. Now, "Raja Tunkattuwa", a Sinhalese language drama about the Three Kings is held here during Christmas.[2]

Festival

At the St. Sebastian Church an annual festival dedicated to St. Sebastian is held on 20 January. On this occasion a decorated flagstaff is affixed at the church premises. Processions are also organized and food is served free to poor people.[5]

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References
  1. Anandappa 1990, p. 169.
  2. Fernando, W. T. A. Leslie. "Religious fervour and communal harmony in Negombo". The Daily News. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  3. "San Sebastian church". minube.net/. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  4. "Saint Sebastian venerated for intervention in epidemics". Asian Tribune. 21 January 2009. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  5. Frey & Lemmer 2001, p. 63.

Bibliography

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