Boasting an immaculate architectural design, the Anglican All Saints Church is one of the three iconic churches located within the Galle Fort. The church features a large atrium that is illuminated by natural light let through by stained glass windows. The church also offers a surreal and peaceful ambience for devotees to pray in quiet contemplation.
The foundation stone for the church was laid in the year of 1868 after the idea of building a church was initiated by Rev. James Chapman who was the first bishop of Colombo. The construction preceded with an initial grant of £600, land from the governor, Sir Hercules Robinson, and an additional grant of £1000 offered by an English parish. The church was designed by a government architect J.G. Smithers who would later design the structure for the National Museum of Colombo. The construction was completed in the year of 1871 and it was consecrated on the 21 of February in the same year by Bishop Claughton.
The church was built in a Victorian Gothic Revival style of architecture with subtle modifications around the structure to endure the monsoonal climate. The structure of the church also features firmly placed stone columns and arched structures that are beautifully made from timber. The arches are built using local Kabuk timber along with the use of lime mortar. Burmese teak was purposed to make the heavy pews and they feature intricate carvings of the Jewish Star of David. The same timber was used to make the sanctuary as well.
