The Dutch took control of Matara from the Portuguese in 1645, and they captured all the coastal provinces of Ceylon in 1658.
They considered Matara as one of their important administrative divisions. There are several locations in the Matara city which date back to the Dutch colonial rule in ancient Ceylon. Among them, Matara Fort is a popular destination for tourists. One of the most important Dutch monuments in the Fort is the Dutch Church.
This Church, which is currently known as the Dutch Reformed Church, is the oldest building in Matara Fort. It is built in a simpler way than other Dutch churches.
It was built according to Dutch architecture, and several special features such as curved towers and verandas can also be seen in it.
It is believed that the Church was built in 1706. The front facade and interior of the Church are very simple. The entrance is arched, and simple decorations can also be seen on the walls. There are round windows on all sides of the building for air flow.
Officers and soldiers who worked in the Dutch Fort in Matara are said to have performed religious activities in the Church. It is said that Dutch national E.H. Sylvius had worked as the first priest there.
Although the Church was primarily for the Dutch, religious sermons have also been delivered there in Sinhala. The Dutch Governors and officials who came to serve in Matara first took oath in the Church. Protestant services were initially conducted in Dutch and English only, and about 250 devotees were able to join the services.
Restoration
The Church had been dilapidated by 1767 and it had been renovated in the same year. A plaque above the entrance to the Church which can be seen today states that the building was restored in 1767 by Bishop Daniel Bernan.
The Church, which is at the site today, is the building that has been renovated in the same year.
It is said that a short wall and a gate were added to it in 1950, connecting the pillars of the hall.
A part of the city of Matara was also used as a burial ground by the Dutch. This cemetery was located to the left of today’s Matara bus stand.
The bodies of the people who believed in the Protestant religion were buried there. A part of it can still be seen to the left of the bus stand, in the visible distance of the War Heroes Memorial on Beach Road.
As the city spread, the land had become populated and buildings had been built. After that, the tombstones there have been removed and brought to Church.
As in the church in Galle Fort, one can see several tombstones attached to the church grounds in this church.
These tombstones bear some information about the Dutch, English and Sinhalese who lived in Matara at that time.
There are also tombstones of young men who died in wars, children and women. Some of the tombstones reveal the information of the Sinhalese people who converted to Protestantism and received various forms of privileges from the Dutch.
Tombstones
There are about 22 stone tombstones fixed on the church grounds and walls. Many of the texts on these tombstones are written in English, while some others are written in Dutch.
Many details such as position, name, and birth of the deceased person are mentioned in them. The oldest tombstone found here is believed to have been erected in 1686 for Barbara Jonglin. The tombstones of Dessaus Franz Willem Falk, father of Governor Iman William Falk, and Johannes Fernandinus Krijtasman died in 1737 and 1758, can also be seen.
The Church was slightly damaged in December 2004 due to the tsunami disaster. The plan of the main building was not damaged, but most of the antique furniture was destroyed by the waves. The Department of Archaeology undertook its restoration, which was completed in two years. Even today, services are held in the Church as usual. It has been designated as a protected archaeological monument by the Extraordinary Gazette Notification issued by the Government on July 7, 2016.
