Holy Trinity Church, Nuwara Eliya

In 1845, a meeting was held to consider the question of building a Church at an estimated cost of pounds 900. A gentleman by the name of Nelson was appointed architect, and the work was done chiefly by men of the 15 Regiment, under the supervision of the Commandant of Nuwara-Eliya Major Brunker.

Among the men who assisted him was Corporal Moore, a clever builder, whose services Bishop Chapman later utilized for the building of the Cathedral.

There was either a delay in commencing building operations, or the work was done very leisurely, for it was not until seven years after the first steps were taken that the building was nearing completion. It was consecrated by Bishop James Chapman on St. Matthias’ Day, 24 February, 1852.

In the late eighteen eighties the question of enlarging the Church was mooted, but there was some opposition to this by those who favoured the construction of a new Church near the old cemetery, two members offering to meet the cost. This suggestion did not apparently find favour with the majority of the congregation, who preferred the old site. The second enlargement took place in 1889, and a stone recording this fact is to be seen built into the Church wall.

The original Church is the portion at the West end. The additions can be noted by the difference in size of the corbels supporting the main rafters.

Among the tablets to be seen in the Church are those to the memory of Dr. G. Gardner, Superintendent of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya, whose death occurred suddenly shortly after he had taken lunch with Lord Torrington; Captain William Fisher, father of Lord Fisher, who was thrown off his horse and killed; R.B. Downall who represented the planting community in the Legislative Council for many years; and Lady Ridgeway, wife of Sir West Ridgeway, Governor of Ceylon. The Churchyard also contains many interesting tombstones.