Warleigh Church and Other Historic Hill Country Churches in Sri Lanka | Nestled in the cool mist of Sri Lanka’s central highlands lies a collection of quiet, historic churches that whisper stories of faith, endurance, and colonial heritage. Among them, Christ Church Warleigh in Dickoya stands as a timeless symbol of the British era—a stone sanctuary surrounded by emerald hills and still waters, echoing prayers from centuries past.
While most travellers visit the hill country for its tea estates and waterfalls, few take time to explore these churches that form a quieter chapter of Sri Lanka’s history. Scattered across Hatton, Haputale, Nuwara Eliya, and Kandy, they preserve both the architectural charm and spiritual legacy of an age gone by.
This journey takes you through some of the most beautiful and significant hill-country churches—each one a bridge between Sri Lanka’s colonial past and its living Christian community today.
Christ Church Warleigh, Dickoya
Perched above the glistening Castlereagh Reservoir, Christ Church Warleigh is one of Sri Lanka’s most scenic churches. Built in 1878 by William Scott, a British tea planter, the church was named after his hometown of Warleigh in England.
Constructed in the English Gothic Revival style, this stone church features pointed arches, narrow stained-glass windows, and wooden pews that still bear the marks of time. Inside, sunlight filters through colored glass, painting the walls with warm hues.
Notable features include:
- Original 19th-century pews and altar furniture.
- A century-old Bible displayed on the lectern.
- Beautiful stained glass depicting biblical scenes.
- A small graveyard beside the church, where early British settlers and planters rest.
Early mornings are magical here. Mist hangs low over the reservoir, birds call through the pines, and the entire setting feels suspended between history and stillness.
Tip: Visit between 7:00 and 9:00 a.m. when the light through the glass windows is most striking.
St. Andrew’s Church, Haputale
Although sometimes mistaken for a Nuwara Eliya landmark, St. Andrew’s Church is actually in Haputale, a town often called “Little England” for its cool climate and British heritage.
The foundation stone was laid in 1869, and the church was consecrated soon after. Its grey-stone walls, tall lancet windows, and sloping tiled roof make it a fine example of small-scale English parish design.
Inside, visitors find handcrafted wooden furniture and memorial plaques to planters and families who lived in the district during the late 19th century. The adjacent graveyard contains tombstones of colonial officers and settlers—many with inscriptions recalling their struggles with mountain weather and illness.
Services are occasionally held here, and visitors are welcome to step inside when open.
Tip: Bring a light jacket. Even on sunny days Haputale’s breeze carries a chill.
Holy Trinity Church, Nuwara Eliya
In the heart of Nuwara Eliya stands the Holy Trinity Church, completed in 1852 after seven years of construction. Built in red brick and stone, it remains one of the most significant Anglican churches in Sri Lanka.
The church gained international fame when Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip worshipped here during their royal visit in 1954. To commemorate the occasion, the Queen presented a stained-glass window and a blue carpet that still adorn the sanctuary.
Key highlights:
- A pipe organ dating from the colonial period (restored in 2001).
- Memorial tablets dedicated to planters, soldiers, and missionaries.
- Original parish registers that record baptisms, marriages, and burials dating back to the 19th century.
- A churchyard blooming with roses and shaded by old English trees.
Tip: Visit during December, when the church hosts candlelit Christmas services blending British hymns with Sri Lankan warmth—a heartwarming fusion of traditions.
Christ Church, Bandarawela
High in the southern hills, Christ Church Bandarawela stands as another quiet relic of the colonial past. The church’s foundation stone was laid in 1909, and it was consecrated in 1921, during the time when Bandarawela had become a popular health retreat for British officials escaping the Colombo heat.
The church’s simplicity sets it apart from grander hill-country cathedrals. Its high timber ceilings, plain glass windows, and soft natural light create an atmosphere of rustic peace.
From the small churchyard, visitors can gaze over green hills and tea estates stretching toward Haputale. It remains an active Anglican parish today and continues to serve the local community with weekly services.
Tip: The caretaker often shares stories of early planters and the effort that went into transporting building materials uphill over a century ago.
St. Paul’s Church, Kandy – Gateway to the Hill Country
Before travelers venture deeper into the hills, many begin their spiritual trail in Kandy, where St. Paul’s Church stands beside the Temple of the Tooth Relic—a rare juxtaposition of faiths and architecture.
Built between 1843 and 1853, this Neo-Gothic Anglican church was established soon after the British annexation of the Kandyan Kingdom. Its exterior of red brick and stone stands in contrast to the traditional Buddhist architecture surrounding it.
Inside, visitors can admire:
- Intricate stained-glass windows (some gifted by Queen Victoria).
- One of Sri Lanka’s oldest pipe organs.
- Plaques and memorials commemorating colonial officers who served in Kandy.
The church continues to hold English-language services and remains a symbol of the city’s colonial heritage and multicultural past.
Why Visit Hill Country Churches?
With so many natural attractions—waterfalls, tea trails, and mountain viewpoints—why should a traveler pause to explore these quiet churches?
1. Historical insight
They reveal a nuanced chapter of Sri Lanka’s history, beyond the forts and estates. Each church tells of early settlers who built sanctuaries of faith far from home.
2. Architectural beauty
From the carved stone of Warleigh to the red brick of Nuwara Eliya, every building reflects careful craftsmanship and enduring design.
3. Peaceful atmosphere
Unlike busier attractions, these sites are havens of silence. The sound of wind through pines replaces traffic and chatter.
4. Cultural connection
They illustrate how Christianity adapted to a tropical landscape while coexisting with Buddhism and Hinduism—showing coexistence rather than conflict.
5. Photography
Early-morning mist, moss-covered gravestones, and colored light filtering through glass offer endless compositions for the patient traveller.
Visiting Tips
- Respect services: If visiting during Sunday worship, maintain quiet and modest dress.
- Ask before photographing, especially interiors or graves.
- Support preservation: Small donations help maintain these historic buildings.
- Talk to caretakers: Many have stories that do not appear in guidebooks—personal accounts of families, restoration, and faith.
Conclusion
The hill country of Sri Lanka is a mosaic of nature and history—tea fields, waterfalls, and mist-covered peaks. Yet hidden among them are churches that speak softly of another time.
Walking into one of these sanctuaries, you enter a space where past and present meet—where the echoes of hymns blend with the hum of wind through cypress trees.
Whether you stand by the tranquil waters at Warleigh, trace sunlight through the stained glass of Holy Trinity, or pause beside a weathered gravestone in Haputale, each visit offers a moment of reflection—a religious experience rooted in peace, memory, and the enduring human need for faith.
So next time you journey through Sri Lanka’s highlands, take that quiet detour. Step inside a stone church framed by tea gardens and listen. History still speaks here, softly—but clearly.
