AN OVERALL DESCRIPTION OF ST. LUCIA’S CATHEDRAL, KOTAHENA – By Campion Fernando
The cynosure of Kotahena is undoubtedly the gorgeous and splendid structure of St. Lucia’s Cathedral which attracts al visitors and passers by to wonder whether they accidentally have visited St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican in Rome. Yes, it is a miniature replica of the massive Vatican Basilica built in Gothic Architecture in the North East of Colombo within an extent of 18,240 square feet and rising to 151 feet in height, rendering its services to the spiritual needs of the Roman Catholic faithful and in particular to its parishioners. However, while probing and tracing the emergence of the church, it is felt as a formidable and tiresome experience.
In the midst of the 17th century, following the exit of the Portuguese rulers the invading Dutch rulers subjugated the Ceylonese and the freedom the Ceylonese and the freedom of practicing the Catholicism was suppressed. However, the bold and dedicated priests of the congregation of Oratorian whose founder was St, Philip Neri persuaded the then Dutch Authorities and obtained a grant of 10 acres of land and built a small hut church in 1779 AD dedicated to ‘’ OUR LADY OF ASSUMPTION” Later in 1782 AD Fr. Nicholas Rodriguez the Superior of the Oratorian Fathers developed the church with brick and mortar. In 1796 AD a war between the occupied Dutch rulers and the invading British solders occurred at the banks of the Kelani River, which forced the majority of the people to seek refuge at this church dedicated to ‘’ OUR LADY OF ASSUMPTION”. In 1820 AD the victorious British rulers restored the civil rights of the Catholics and granted them the freedom of practicing their religion. As a result, a deceased pioneer missionary priest Fr. Monteiro de Setauval’s remains were interred in the premises of this church. Until the year 1834 AD this Catholic church was under the Bishopric of Cochin and under the jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Geo, India. On April 21, 1834 AD Pope Gregory XVI detached this church from the Indian administration and appointed Fr. Vincente Rozairo Dias as the “Vicar Apostolic “of Ceylon. On January 14, 1938 AD this church of “’ OUR LADY OF ASSUMPTION” was dedicated to St. LUCY, a virgin martyr of Syracuse, Italy and was declared as the first Cathedral in Ceylon. In 1846 AD Fr. Vincente Rozairo Dias was elevated as the First Bishop of Ceylon.
In 1852 AD the foundation stone was laid to construct a new church in lieu of the old. In 1858 AD Msgr. Hillarion Sillani, who later become the Bishop of Colombo arrived and planned the new constructional task for a new Cathedral together with his co-designer Fr. Stanislaus Tabarrani. So once again the prevailing church was demolished on August 8, 1873 AD and a new foundation stone was laid in the same year. Fr. Stanislaus Tabarrani was instrumental in reproducing the new Cathedral in the shape of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Unfortunately, at the demise of both the designers Fr. B. Baldoni continued the constructional work but well before the completion the church was blessed and made open to the people on August 5, 1881 AD by Msgr. Clement Pagnani. Towards the end of 1887 AD the main body of the Cathedral was blessed on December 13, 1887. The Constructional cost of the Cathedral in the 19th century amounted to more than Rs. 160,000/- which was generously contributed by the then Catholics and fisherfolks.
In 1887 AD the Archbishop of Colombo, Bishop Bonjean brought a portion of a bone of St Lucy to enshrine at this Cathedral. In 1895 a huge northern hemispherical dome shaped pulpit in teak was fixed above the alter rails on the right side having its access with the flight of few steps within the chancel and a new Episcopal Throne built in 1897. Four new bells of pure bonze were brought to the Cathedral from MARSCILLES, France, and was installed and christened on December 13, 1903. With the name being (1) Anthony Thomas (4300 lbs) (2) Constant Henry Lucia Amelia (2000 lbs) (3) Francis Theresa (1400 lb) and
(4) Jean Baptist Edward Anna (950 lbs) The Cathedral was consecrated to St. Lucy on 13-12-1938 by Archbishop Bonjean.
This church is built in a cruciform pattern having a Nave of 228’ with a transept of 174’ & 151’ in height. The façade of the Cathedral is with 7 colossus on the top consisting Our Lady of Assumption (originally dedicated to her) in the center together with Saints. Peter, Lucy, Joseph, Anthony, Francis Xavier & Paul.
Below there is a triangular gable representing the Holy Trinty and within at the Centre, a round clock of 12” in diameter with roman numerals reminding that all seasons and time belong to lord Jesus Christ as recited in the prayer of the Easter Vigil during the Liturgy of Light. Below there are 4 huge cylindrical columns at the entrance symbolizing the 4 groups of builders of Christianity. Namely Prophets, Martyrs, Evangelists and Saints.
There are 3 arched and 2 upright rectangular entrances. Next is a spacious foyer from where the main door extends in to Nave. At the left side corner of the aisle there is a baptismal fount with the image of St. John the Baptist in white marble. At the anterior end of the nave there is an ‘’AD ORIENTEM’’ ( Eastern Sun rising directional) Alter in white marble symbolizing that Lord Jesus Christ too rose as the “ Sun of Justice”. The chancel enclosing the Alter is also of white marble cordoned with teak alter rails. Until the end of Vatican 2 synod the holy mass was celebrated at this Alter facing the eastern direction. Then the rails enclosing the alter and chancel were at the same height of the existing alter rails of both transepts with 3 steps to climb. Following the Vatican 2 synod a nee alter was made of timber to face the congregation and steps of the middle alter rails and the pulpit at the nave were demolished ad lowered to the present for the convenience of the people to have a better view of the mass that was celebrated and also for the communicants on top of the alter there is a huge cupola with a cross enclosed within a lantern shaped structure. The huge main cupula symbolizes the Lord Jesus Christ and there are 4 smaller cupolas built in both transepts symbolizing the 4 Evangelists Mathew, Mark, Luke and John whose images are painted as murals on the corners of the vaults of the main dome. These images are in fact painted on firmly – pasted canvas.
Behind the main alter at a distance of 40’ there is an alter made of marble and above that is a niche with the statue of St. Lucy the patroness of the Cathedral placed on 28-06-1854. Above that there is a round stained glass with the image of Our Lady of Assumption and below there are 2 stained glass images of Saints Peter and Paul. Behind the main alter on the right-side transept there is a marble alter with the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in its niche. Besides the right-side transept there is a statue of Our Lady of Loudes in its niche and above that is a round stained glass with the image of Our Lady of the Rosary. Behind the main alter on the left side-transept there is also another marble alter with the statue in its niche of the Holy Souls pleading to Our Lady of Carmal for relief from purgatory. On the left-side transept there is a statue of St. Joseph in a niche and above there is a round stained glass image of the Holy Family depicting the boy Jesus at carpentry work. Below there are two more stained glass image of Saints Anne and Anthony.
From the main alter towards the main door there are 12 colonnades (Six on each sides ) in between the nave and aisles symbolizing the 12 apostles of Christ. In these pedestal columns the lager than life size statues of the saints Madonna, Theresa of Child Jesus, Aloysius, Cecilia, Francis Xavier, Sebastian, Winifreda and Anthony are placed on the entablements beyond reach while the crucified Christ ,Saints Vincent de Paul and John Baptist de La Salle are within reach. Most of these were installed by the efforts of Fr. J.Milliner in 1924. In 1934 a pipe organ was gifted by a benefactor. In both aisles adjacent to the nave there are 10 concavity miner cupolas on the roof side which are not visible from the outside of the church which symbolize the Decalogue of God given to Moses. Within the Chancel on the left side of the main alter there is a “ CATHEDRA” the seat of the Archbishop. Under the main alter there is also a “ CRYPT OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD” which is hardly used expect for special occasions.
The mortal remains of 3 Archbishops who shepherded at this Cathedral are intered below the Chancel in front of the main alter. They are Bishops Masson, Melizan and Courdert, but there are no records of the burial of Archbishops Earnest Christopher Bonjean and Peter Marzue at this Cathedral. There are also the bust size images of Archbishops Earnest Christopher Bonjean and Theophiles Andrew Melliza which can be seen at the first columns of both transepts near the alter rails.
Also special mention has to be made that this massive lovey Cathedral suffered an immense vibratory damage to its dome and other parts during the Japanese air raid at the Colombo Harbour during the second world war in 1942, which needs more funds for the restoration to this vary day. This Cathedral has now become a protect ed archaeology monument by the Department of Archaeology under the ministry on National Heritage.
