Dutch Reformed Church (Galle Fort)
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The Dutch Reformed Church situated within the Galle Fort premises is one of the earliest Dutch churches in Sri Lanka. History
Located close to the new entrance to the fort, the church has been built on the highest point in the Galle Fort. According to tradition, this church was erected by Lady Gertruyda Adriana le Grand, the wife of the Commandeur Casparus de Jong (Lewis, 1913). It is said that Adriana who was living without a child for many years had made a vow that if she should ever have a child she would build a church as a thank-offering to God (Lewis, 1913; Ranchagoda, 2015). Her aspiration finally became fulfilled when she gave birth to a daughter (Ranchagoda, 2015). The church was designed by Abraham Anthoniz of Amsterdam, a Lieutenant of the Dutch army who worked as a chief engineer while in Galle (Abeyawardana, 2004; Ranchagoda, 2015).
The construction of the Dutch Reformed Church is said to have commenced in 1752 and was completed in 1754 (Abeyawardana, 2004; Lewis, 1913). …
