Sacred Heart Church – Elpitiya

Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Naveen Jude De Silva
Assistant Parish Priest:

Address: : Sacred Heart Church, Kurundugaha, Elpitiya
Telephone: +9474 025 3059
Mass Times:
Sunday – 8.00 am
Monday –
Tuesday – 5.00pm
Wednesday – 5.00pm
Thursday –
Friday – 4.30 pm
Saturday – 8.00 am

Elpitiya is one of the oldest churches in the Diocese of Galle. According to the records in 1917 the ppastoral care of this area had been looked after by the priests who were at Ganegama. Rev. Fr. Van Austin SJ had done a marvelous service to up lift the spiritual and social life of the people at Elpitiya and he was the founder of St. Mary’s Bilingual School. In 1919 Rev. Fr. Van Austin SJ has initiated the discussions to build a church at Elpitiya. According to the written history the total cost of building the church was Rs. 16,000.00 and Rs.5,000.00 was donated by Mr. Fred Abeysundara. The first annual feast was held in 1921. In 1923 the building work of the church was completed. The Church was officially dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus by Rt. Rev. Dr. Gaston Robchez SJ, the Bishop of Trincomalee and Apostolic Administrator of Galle on 15^th May 1925.

Later Thalgaswala, a part of Elpitiya Parish was separated and named as a new parish. Present Elpitiya Parish has two chapels at Panapitiya and Ketapola. Religious sisters also have done a great mission to spread the Good News in this area. Holy Angels sisters are based in St. Teresa’s convent, Elpitiya and Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart sisters have their convent at Ketapola.