St Peter’s Church Colombo

Tucked between the Grand Oriental Hotel building and the military checkpoint, St Peter’s Church is easy to miss. Although the area east of the hotel is off limits to the public, the church can be accessed by ducking under the military barricade.

A Dutch governor’s residence in the 17th century, the building was first used for worship in 1804 by the British as a garrison church before being officially consecrated on 22 May 1821. Despite the pleasing blue-grey exterior, the church’s interior is quite bare except for some memorial stones adorning the walls. Cool and quiet, the church is an atmospheric place that is usually deserted unless a service is in progress, and provides welcome relief from the bustle from Colombo. Visitors who are in interested in learning more about St Peter’s can pick up a free leaflet near the door.