OUR HISTORY
FROM A PERILOUS SEA VOYAGE IN 1813 TO A VIBRANT NATIONAL COMMUNITY TODAY, EXPLORE THE ENDURING LEGACY OF METHODISM IN SRI LANKA.
THE RESILIENCE
THE STORY OF METHODISM IN SRI LANKA IS ONE OF PROFOUND FAITH AND RESILIENCE. IT BEGAN IN THE HEART OF DR. THOMAS COKE, WHO CONVINCED THE BRITISH METHODIST CONFERENCE TO SUPPORT A MISSION TO THE EAST.
ALTHOUGH DR. COKE PASSED AWAY DURING THE ARDUOUS VOYAGE, HIS COMPANIONS CARRIED THE TORCH FORWARD. THEIR ARRIVAL IN JUNE 1814 CHANGED THE RELIGIOUS AND EDUCATIONAL LANDSCAPE OF THE ISLAND FOREVER.
SIGNIFICANT_MILESTONES
COKE'S VISION
DR. THOMAS COKE SETS SAIL FROM ENGLAND WITH SIX MISSIONARIES, CARRYING A VISION TO BRING METHODISM TO ASIA.
ARRIVAL IN GALLE
ON JUNE 29, 1814, FIVE MISSIONARIES ARRIVE IN GALLE, MARKING THE BEGINNING OF THE METHODIST CHURCH IN SRI LANKA.
FIRST CHAPEL
THE MISSION EXPANDS TO JAFFNA AND BATTICALOA. THE FIRST METHODIST CHAPEL IN ASIA IS BUILT IN DAM STREET, COLOMBO IN 1816.
ACADEMIC GROWTH
THE CHURCH ESTABLISHES PREMIER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS ACROSS THE ISLAND, CONTRIBUTING TO THE NATION'S HERITAGE.
FULL AUTONOMY
THE METHODIST CHURCH OF CEYLON BECOMES AN AUTONOMOUS CONFERENCE, INDEPENDENT FROM THE BRITISH CONFERENCE.
A LEGACY OF SERVICE
BEYOND ECCLESIASTICAL EXPANSION, THE METHODIST CHURCH IN SRI LANKA HAS BEEN A PIONEER IN SOCIAL WELFARE. FROM ESTABLISHING PRESTIGIOUS SCHOOLS TO FOUNDING ORPHANAGES AND HOSPITALS.