St. James the Great Church was built in 1872 to serve the Roman Catholic community in Mutwal, Colombo 15, Sri Lanka. Planned by Rev. Peter Ilari and consecrated by Archbishop Hillarian Sillari, the church was funded by the local fishing community, who contributed 10% of their daily earnings.
The church was re-plastered in the early 20th century, with notable ceiling paintings by Richard Henricus, two of which remain original, enhancing the church’s aesthetic and spiritual ambiance.
A grotto dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes was constructed between 1935 and 1957, led by Rev. Fr. Cajetan Pulle, expanding the church’s facilities to accommodate the growing congregation.
The church celebrated its 134th anniversary in 2005, continuing to serve the community with modern pastoral care and spiritual programs adapted to contemporary needs.
St. James Church remains a spiritual beacon in Mutwal, blending traditional Catholic values with modern community engagement under the leadership of Rev. Father Basil Wickramasinghe.