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| Sunday, 6 February 2005 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Kalahe Methodist church, Galle by Gerald de Alwis In every season of life there is something to celebrate. In the middle of the 20th Century, the rural Methodist church of Kalahe celebrated its golden jubilee. Then in 2004, centenary festivals to commemorate the glorious past with rejoicing and religious ceremonies were held. On 27th May 1978 the property of George Edward Jansz amounting to 1 acre, 3 roods, (245 perches) certified by Diosius Samarawickrema was purchased for Rs. 1000 to the Methodist Church by the leader of the Southern Province of the Church, Revd. John Scott. In 1876, a girls' school was inaugurated and in 1879 a church was inaugurated at Mataramba and in 1881 a school was started at Kalahe under the name of Methodist School and it can be cited as the beginning of the Methodist Church in Kalahe. A little later the first mission house was set up. After the new mission house was built this was used as a teachers house. In 1903 the Galle Synod appointed Revd. D. Peter Gerard Ferdinando to the Mataramba area. Due to his very genial and kind disposition the people of the area loved him very much. Though the Kalahe church organisation was not a large one yet the absence of a church to pay homage to God was felt very much. Though Revd. Ferdinando was somewhat old he had a great inclination to build up a church. The Kalahe school where church services were held was converted to the present church at Kalahe in 1904. This church was named Nicolson Memorial Church in memory of the Missionary James Nicolson. This church is something very near and dear to all those who worshipped in that little sanctuary, including me a child in the early thirties, who for the first time learnt The Lord's Prayer at the feet of its Sunday School Superintendent, the late Mrs. Enid de Alwis (nee Edirisinha). She was also the parish Treasurer for a very long time. She made it her particular responsibility that the church was always kept clean for worship. Her husband the late Felix De Alwis played a very prominent role in the affairs of his ancestral church ably assisted by his wife. I will be failing in my duty if I do not mention the other stalwarts who cherished, nourished and sustained the church during the early colonial times. I mentioned specially the late Mrs. Lucy Ranasinghe who taught in the Methodist School and the Sunday school for nearly forty years; a veteran and noble teacher, guide, counsellor, lay preacher and above all a friend to the needy. Margret Withanavasam, (nee Samarawickrama) The Paranavithana's, Samarawickrama's, Abeywardena's, Amerasinghe's, Dias', Maligaspe, and Wickremasinghes', (particularly Peter & Victor), were venerable families too that rendered invaluable service to the church spiritually, socially, and financially. Daphne St. Claire Edirisinha, who was the organist of the church, the late Catechists Fernando and Stembo, Revs. P. Basil Rajasingham and Milton Fernando played an important part in the church and the village. Mr. & Mrs. Karunaratne school teachers from Seeduwa, were among others who was a lay preacher and they taught in the Sunday School. Both husband and wife devoted most of their time to God's work while looking after a large Christian family. Through God's guidance and the good work of the present Minister Rev. Uditha J. Fernando and the members who still emulate their worthy predecessors, this little rural church in Kalahe continues to hold fast and grow. It is gratifying that Kalahe village is truly represented by the Sinhala congregation, being the majority now. |
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