Churches, particularly the old Gothic style ones are well-known for their stunningly beautiful stained-glass windows. Church windows first featured stained glass way back in the fourth century. Many people flock to churches around the world and marvel at their beauty. There are several interesting reasons why churches feature stained glass.
Gothic churches needed large trusses to support the huge ceilings, which made them dark and dingy. However, when the spaces between the trusses were filled with stained glass windows, the church became a bright and colourful spectacle for worshippers to behold. Even the imperfections in the glass allowed the sunlight to dance on them and added to their beauty.
When churches were initially built, not many people were literate and the church was a learning hub. The stained glass windows illustrated elaborate biblical scenes, thereby facilitating the church to communicate Bible stories and Christian beliefs to the people. The windows brought the Bible stories to life.
Important symbol
The front view of the Warleigh Church in Dikoya
in Norwood near Hatton
Light is an important symbol in many religions. It represents purity, the heavens, spirituality and genesis. Naturally, windows were an important part of the church, so it is not surprising that builders began playing with the idea to enhance them. Stained glass provides a certain amount of privacy that ordinary windows don’t, without blocking light transmission.
In Sri Lanka, most of the old as well as the new churches contain stained glass windows with beautifully painted portraits of Jesus Christ, biblical scenes and other floral motifs adorning the towering walls.
We came across many beautiful stained glass windows depicting the life of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary during my visits to many Christian churches around the country. The most recent visit was to the awe-inspiring 18th century Christ Church in Warleighin Dickoya.
It is much more than a church. It is a spiritual centre, an architectural icon and a historical monument from the colonial era. We never knew that the small but beautiful granite church had such historical value until we visited the church in Norwood, Dickoya in Hatton.
There is a poignant reminder of the days of the colonial tea planters who developed the area which could be seen by the side of the road, where the Warleigh Church is perched overlooking the hauntingly beautiful Castlereagh Reservoir.
The church, which was built in 1878 of solid granite blocks, gifted by an Englishman, William Scott, has a cemetery with many graves of planters and their families who never made it back home to Britain. Some British planters, such as Michael Turnbull (1921-1997) who retired to Britain loved the area so much that his ashes were sent here to be interred.
Entering the premises, we were greeted by its resident caretaker who led us into the church. We were fascinated to see the magnificent wooden furniture and understand how English planters who gave their lives to develop the tea industry maintained the traditions of their faith. The interior, as well as the exterior of the church was clean and tidy.
The caretaker led us to the interior of the church and showed us the wooden pulpit and old pipe organ, precious 19th century stained-glass windows, a Bible inscribed with the date of 1879 and worn timber pews. On a notice board is a list of the names of the remaining 15 regular churchgoers.
Impressive architectural design
Strolling in the cool interior of the church, we were amazed to see the impressive architectural design. The most striking feature was the 19th Century stained-glass windows which depict portraits of Jesus Christ which were originally brought from England.
The beautiful floral structure made of porcelain for baptism in the church stands near the organ. The floor is laid with attractive floral tiles, also imported from England, while the granite walls are adorned with copper plates containing biblical verses.
Ancient wooden pews in
the Warleigh Church
The compound of the church is dotted with granite and marble tombstones in various sizes and designs. Most of the tombstones are well-preserved and maintained without weeds and are surrounded by flower bushes. It gives a perfect beauty to the site and at the same time reminds one of the people buried here. Some of the tombstones had been imported directly from England while some were bought from Colombo’s funeral companies.
The most renowned personality believed to have found eternal rest in this churchyard is the first Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sir William Robert Campbell. Having served as the Chief of Police in India, he had come to Ceylon in 1866 to assume duties as the Chief Superintendent of Police from which post he was elevated in 1867 to that of the IGP.
There are still services being conducted in English on the first and third Sunday of each month, although the church is usually locked until the caretaker opens it up for visitors. To peep inside is to understand how planters who gave their lives developing the tea industry maintained the traditions of their faith. The caretaker said Britons regularly visited the Warleigh Church as a mark of respect to their loved ones buried here in the cemetery over a century ago.
The church is open from 8 a.m. to 4.30p.m. for visitors and is one of the best places to view the vibrant stained glass windows which adorn portraits depicting the life of Jesus Christ. The resident caretaker is available at all times to help visitors and worshippers. If you are a history buff, this historic church is well worth a visit on your next trip to the central highlands.
