| Christ Church Warleigh | |
| Pushpin Label Position: | right |
| Location: | Dickoya |
| Country: | Sri Lanka |
| Denomination: | Anglican church (Church of Ceylon) |
| Founder: | William Scott |
| Functional Status: | Active |
Christ Church Warleigh is an Anglican church in Sri Lanka built during the 19th century by the British. It is administered by the Church of Ceylon.[1] The church is regarded as one of the most prominent and oldest Anglican churches in Sri Lanka and is a tourist destination. It is in the Central Province of Sri Lanka, in Dickoya, near the Nuwara Eliya District along the Hatton-Norwood road through the Warleigh Division. The church borders tea estates and the Castlereagh Reservoir.[2]
Christ Church was built by the William Scott, the manager of the Governor's Mansion, in 1878, when the country was a British colony.[3] [4] A bible printed in 1860s was presented to the church in July 1879 by Rev. Charles Hill, the rector of Warboys Parish, and is still preserved in the church.[4] [5] The first British colonial Inspector General of the Ceylon Police, Sir George William Robert Campbell who came to Ceylon in 1866 is believed to be buried in the churchyard.[6]
The church was built in typical old British church architecture.[4] The walls of the church include granite stones. The church interior has wooden furniture seats, an ancient pipe organ (piano), an armchair, and wooden pulpit along with a 140 year old Bible.[7]
19th century stained glass windows, which depict paintings of Jesus Christ, were originally brought from England. A baptismal font made of porcelain is adorned with floral designs. The church floor is laid out with imported floral tiles from England.
A cemetery with tombstones of English colonial tea planters is next to the church.[8]