Christ Church, Galkissa
{{Short description|Church in Sri Lanka}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2017}}
{{Infobox religious building
| building_name = Christ Church, Galkissa
| geo =
| location = Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia, Sri Lanka
| image = Christ_Church,_Galkissa.jpg
| coordinates = {{coord|06|50|54.3|N|79|51|56.3|E|display=inline,title}}
| functional_status = Active
| religious_affiliation = Anglican
| rite =
| heritage_designation = Archaeological protected monument (6 June 2008)
| caption = The church and its graveyard
| website = [http://www.christchurchgalkissa.com Christ Church Galkissa (Dehiwela)]
| architecture = yes
| architect =
| architecture_type = Church
| architecture_style =
| general_contractor =
| facade_direction =
| groundbreaking =
| year_completed = 1843
| construction_cost =
| specifications =
}}
Christ Church, (also known as the Church of the Open Door) is an Anglican church in Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia in Sri Lanka. The church is located on Colombo-Galle main road (A2) approximately {{convert|0.35|km|mi|abbr=on}} away from the Dehiwala junction. It was consecrated on 16 February 1843. The four tombs within the church's graveyard have been formally recognised by the Government as archaeological protected monuments in Sri Lanka. The designation was declared on 6 June 2008 under the government Gazette number 1553.{{cite journal|url=http://www.documents.gov.lk/files/gz/2008/6/2008-06-06(I-I)E.pdf|date=6 June 2008|title=PART I : SECTION (I) — GENERAL Government Notifications|journal=The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka|volume=1553|page=534}}
History
According to the account of the historian Valentyn, the first reference to a church in Galkissa is in 1705 where it mentions about a church, roofed with tiles and built upon 10 masonry and 20 stone pillars with a wall of clay 3½ft high.{{cite web | url=http://www.christchurchgalkissa.com/about.php?tid=1| title=Short History of Christ Church Galkissa| publisher=ChristChurchGalkissa.com| date= | accessdate=27 July 2017}} The stone pillars which had used for the church are said to be brought from a temple at Pepiliyana. In 1803, during the British rule it is said that there was a church in Galkissa without a roof but with supporting pillars. At that time the country residence of Governor Sir Robert Brownrigg was with the proximity of the Church at Mount-Lavinia and he (the governor) evinced a personal interest to restore the church again in 1820. The consecration of the restored church was held on 16 February 1843 by the Bishop of Madras, George Spencer. The church which was mentioned during the British time period is believed to be the same church described by the historian Valentyn in 1705.{{cite web | url=http://www.dioceseofcolombo.lk/97-churches/galle-archdeconry/184-christ-church-galkissa-dehiwala-2| title=Christ Church, Galkissa (Dehiwala)#History| publisher=Diocese of Colombo| date= | accessdate=27 July 2017}}
Christ Church, Galkissa is known as the only open door church in Sri Lanka. Since 1952 the door of the church is open for whole of the day and night.{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/141221/plus/anytime-is-prayer-time-127692.html| title=Anytime is prayer time| publisher=Wijeya Newspapers|newspaper=The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)| date= 21 December 2014| accessdate=27 July 2017}}