Wolvendaal Church
One of the oldest Protestant churches in Sri Lanka, a sturdy 1749 Dutch cross-shaped church in Pettah, its floor set with the tombstones of colonial governors.
Wolvendaal Church sits in Pettah, a neighbourhood of Colombo. It's one of the most important Dutch colonial-era buildings in Sri Lanka, and one of the oldest Protestant churches still in use in the country. Built by the Dutch Reformed Church in 1749, the church takes its name from "Wolvendaal," meaning "Valley of the Wolves," a nod to the jackals that are said to have roamed the area back when it was still wild scrubland outside the city.
The building itself follows a simple cross-shaped plan, with thick coral-and-limestone walls built to withstand the tropical climate, and a solid, understated look that reflects the practical style typical of Dutch colonial architecture. Inside, the church holds a striking collection of old tombstones, carved coats of arms, and memorial tablets honouring Dutch governors and officials who once served in Ceylon, many of them laid right into the floor. Despite the passing centuries, Wolvendaal Church has remained in continuous use, with services still held there today, making it as much a living place of worship as it is a piece of Colombo's colonial history.
Although the foundations went down in 1749, the church wasn't dedicated until 6 March 1757. It ended up outside the old Fort walls almost by chance. Governor van Imhoff had asked the Dutch East India Company for permission to pull down the church inside the Fort and rebuild on the same spot. The Company said no, and his successor, Governor Julius Valentyn Stein van Gollenesse, chose this site instead. His initials, I.V.S.V.G., appear on one of the side gables.
Five Dutch governors are buried here, among them Johan Gerard van Angelbeek, the last Dutch governor of Ceylon, who died in Colombo in 1799. You'll also find the epitaph of Thomas van Rhee, governor in the 1690s.
Pettah's streets are hot and loud, so the cool, quiet interior comes as a relief. I'd pair it with the Red Mosque and Pettah Market, and dress modestly, since it's still a working church.
At a glance
- Entry fee: Free, donation welcomed
- Opening hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm
- Time needed: 30 minutes
- Best time: Daytime
How to get there
On a rise in the Pettah district of central Colombo.