The Chapel of the Transguration was consecrated to the glory of God by the Rt Rev’d Mark R. Carpenter-Garnier, Lord Bishop of Colombo, on the 12th of February 1927. Since then it has served as the spiritual heart of the College. The Chapel, dear to the hearts of all Thomians of every faith, continues to play a vital role in the education and formation that is offered at this School.
Liturgically ‘High’ Church or Anglo Catholic, the worship of the Chapel combines the best of modern Anglican Liturgy and hymnody with the best of the Anglican Choral tradition, and the Thomian Chapel Choir, that made its debut at Christ Church Cathedral Mutwal in 1854, continues to lead worshippers to ‘touch the heel of heaven’! The annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols in December, the Good Friday and Easter Liturgies and other special liturgical celebrations draw many to worship God “in the beauty of holiness” (Psalm 96: 9), with “reverence and awe” (Hebrews 12: 28) and “in spirit and in truth” (John 4: 24) in this sacred space special to all Thomians young and old.
This foreword written for the booklet, which was published as the Chapel celebrates the 90th anniversary of its consecration 2017, gives a brief historical introduction to the building and its many features, not least of all the unique and powerfully evocative depiction of the Transguration of our Lord painted in 1968 by the renowned Sri Lankan artist, David Paynter.
I want to place on record my deep appreciation to two young Thomians, Oshanthaka Cabraal and Sidath Gajanayaka for the hard work they have taken to produce the booklet. I wish to extend my thanks to Mr Helakamal Nanayakkara and Warren White (Senior Sacristan) for their photographs of some of the features of the Chapel in this booklet. I must also thank Mr Shavindra Fernando for permitting us to use and update the text of his story of the Chapel published in 1977 when we celebrated the Golden Jubilee and Bishop Duleep de Chickera, a former Assistant Chaplain, Chaplain and Sub Warden of the College as well as 14th Bishop of Colombo, for having granted us permission to include his powerful reection on the Mural of the Transfiguration.
To all those who visit this Chapel my hope and prayer is that you will leave saying: ‘How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.’ (Genesis 28: 17)
Esto Perpetua
The Rev’d Marc Billimoria
Warden
12th February 2017
90th Dedication Festival