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St John’s Church

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Stepping inside St John’s Church, one can almost hear the echoes of its long history. St John’s Church isn’t just a place of worship. It’s a testament to the enduring spirit of faith and community in the heart of Kandy. While the church we see today stands proudly, its journey has been a nomadic one. The St. John’s Lodge of Colombo, originally established in Colombo in 1838, moved to Kandy in 1858. This lodge, connected to St John’s Church, didn’t have a permanent home until 1887. It resided above Messrs John Walker & Company’s Store until 1910 before moving to the Henry Byrde Memorial Hall. Finally, in 1953, it found its current home within the Kandy Masonic Temple. Imagine the stories those walls could tell. The lodge itself has a rich history, tracing its lineage back to the French “L’Union” founded in 1822 and even further to the Dutch Lodge “Die Veneeniging” founded in 1794. This makes St. John’s Lodge of Colombo No.454 EC, now residing in Kandy, the oldest surviving lodge in Sri Lanka. So, as you stand within the church, remember that you are standing on the grounds of a history far richer than might first appear. It’s not just the story of St John’s Church, but also of a lodge’s journey and the intertwining of faith and community over centuries in this vibrant city.

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