Profile - St. Mary's Church - Bambalapitiya
A Legacy of Faith, Heritage and Devotion
About St. Mary's Church - Bambalapitiya
Founded in 1927, our church stands as a beacon of spiritual solace and historical significance in Colombo 04. Dedicated to St. Mary, it embodies over a century of faith, community, and architectural grandeur. Discover the rich heritage and unwavering devotion that continue to inspire generations of worshippers.
Our Mission
St. Mary’s church, of over 110 years is a tranquil haven of prayer and peacefulness nestled amidst
the bustling suburb of Bambalapitiya, serves as a beacon of faith, love and community for over
400 families. Our mission extends beyond worship, of daily masses, song and worship, blessings
and the bestowal of sacraments, by embracing acts of charity and spreading the love of Christ to
all within and outside our church walls. We aspire to foster closer bonds within our parish
community by creating small Christian communities and celebrating zonal cottage masses,
connecting families, enriching lives and grow with the grace of Jesus Christ and Mary our mother
Our History
St Mary’s Church celebrated 115 years on the 8th December 2023. The centenary of St. Mary’s Church was celebrated in 2008. The centenary was counted from the year when the foundation stone for the present edifice was laid. However, the history of St Mary’s Parish goes back a further 22 years to 1886. At that time Bambalapitiya was a substation of St Philip Neri’s Church, Pettah. The mission of St Philip Neri’s, Pettah covered a wide area comprising Pettah, Slave Island, Kollupitiya and Bambalpitiya.
In 1886 Bambalpitiya was demarcated from the others and newly constituted as the fully fledged parish of St. Mary’s Church. From 1886 to 1917 services in St. Mary’s Church were held in temporary or semi-permanent buildings till 1917.The history of St Mary’s Church, Bambalapitiya can therefore be traced back 127 years. Tribute must be paid to Fr. Louis Coquille the first parish priest of St Mary’s (1886/87) who through his commitment and dedication somehow unified the various groups into a single parish community. The site for the new church and the early work on building the church owed much to the efforts of Fr. Francois Euze who was parish priest of St. Mary’s from 1901 to 1952.
A total of 34 parish priests have served in St. Mary’s Church from 1986 to date. The Oblate missionaries were the pioneering priests of St Mary’s. They nurtured and built up St. Mary’s parish for over 65 unbroken years from 1986 to 1952. It is worth noting that except for three years 1887, 1922-1923 the parish priests of St Mary’s were all French Oblates.
In March 1952 the administration of St. Mary’s Church, Bambalapitiya passed from the Oblates to the priests of the Dominican. The decision to have St. Mary’s parish under the priests of the Dominican Order was to enable them to set up the new parish of St. Theresa’s, Thimbirigasyaya. Thus the Dominicans while they served St. Mary’s parish also ministered to the needs of the fledgling parish of St. Theresas’ Church, Thimbirigasyaya. St Mary’s has one of the finest examples of stained glass windows which undoubtedly adds to the sense of spirituality as one enters the church. This sense of spirituality is being greatly enhanced by the strains of the
magnificent Pipe Organ, The Johannus Vivaldi 270 organ which has been newly installed.
"My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations."
– Isaiah 56:7
Fr. Trevor Martin took office as the new pastor of St. Mary’s Bambalpitiya in 2020. He was preceded by Fr. Felician Perera, Fr Sunil de Silva and Fr. Srian Ranasinghe. As the new pastor Fr. Martin quickly involved himself in both the spiritual and social side of his mission. The parish continued with the six weekday masses and the six weekend masses. The congregation was encouraged to attend the two weekday novenas to the Holy Spirit and the infant Jesus. The system under which the parish was divided into zones was revived and zonal leaders appointed who organized monthly cottage masses in each zone thus helping to bring members of the parish community closer together. Here the social side of the parishes work came to the forefront. A special interest is taken to reach out to the wider parish community which includes Catholics and non Catholics.
Lunch packets are distributed to the poor and the needy. School books, exercise books and pencils which are offered at Sunday masses were given to needy students of St. Mary’s school in Bambalapitiya. The look of the church has been greatly improved with the church walls being colour washed and the roof newly tiled. The spiritual side of the church has been greatly enhanced with new statues of St Joseph Vaz and Mother Theresa. Right in front of the church a beautiful nine foot statue of Mother Mary has been erected. Thus everyone who enters St. Mary’s Church begins with a Marian blessing.
The Parish Priest of St. Mary's Church
Rev. Fr. Trevor Gerald Martin
- +94 112588041
- frtrevorg1@gmail.com
Rev. Fr. Trevor Martin serves as the devoted shepherd of St. Mary’s Church, Bambalapitiya, where he plays a pivotal role in guiding and nurturing the spiritual lives of his parishioners. As the Parish Priest of the church and the Dean of the Colombo South Deanery, he holds a position of great responsibility, overseeing not just the affairs of his parish but also the wider faith community within the region.
Fr. Trevor is highly respected for his unwavering dedication to the church and his community. His efforts extend beyond religious duties, as he has been instrumental in implementing various development projects that have enhanced the church’s infrastructure and spiritual environment. Under his leadership, St. Mary’s Church has witnessed significant progress, from renovations and modernizations to the introduction of initiatives that foster a stronger sense of unity among the faithful.
In addition to his work within the church, Fr. Trevor has spearheaded numerous charitable projects, reflecting his deep commitment to social service. His outreach programs support the less fortunate, offering aid to underprivileged families, educational assistance to children, and care for the elderly. His efforts to uplift those in need have earned him widespread recognition and admiration.
Moreover, Fr. Trevor is known for his profound spiritual guidance, constantly striving to deepen the faith of his parishioners. Through his sermons, teachings, and pastoral care, he inspires many to lead lives rooted in faith, compassion, and service. His dedication to uplifting spirituality within the community is evident in his tireless work to organize retreats, prayer services, and religious gatherings that bring people closer to God.
A true visionary and leader, Rev. Fr. Trevor Martin’s influence extends far beyond the church walls. His humility, kindness, and steadfast commitment to faith and service have left an indelible mark on the parish and the broader community. Through his work, he continues to embody the values of compassion, leadership, and devotion, making a lasting impact on the lives of many.
Meet our team
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Secretary
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Accountant
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Coordinator
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