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Trinity College Kandy - Respice Finem

Trinity College Kandy - Respice Finem

Trinity College, Kandy Respice Finem

T +94 81 223 4297
Email: info@trinitycollege.lk

Trinity College, Kandy
262, D S Senanayake Veediya, Kandy 20000, Central Province, Sri Lanka

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Friday, 28 August 2020 / Published in Chapel, College, News

Restoration of the David Paynter Murals – Chapel of Trinity College Kandy

Built along the lines of Sri Lankan and Kandyan architecture and dedicated to the service of God in 1935, the Trinity College Chapel stands in a serene environment of the School. The Chapel is known to be one of the finest architectural undertakings in contemporary Sri Lanka.

The murals done by David Paynter on the walls of the Chapel are regarded as unique examples of Christian art in Asia, painted as they are on the bare surface of the granite walls. Local scenery and local models were used to depict Biblical stories in order to give them an indigenous character and validity.

The mural “Are Ye Able” was painted in 1928,“The Crucifixion”  in 1933. (the backdrop for the crucifixion is a location in north eastern Sri Lanka near Trincomalee),“The Good Samaritan” in 1957, (replacing an earlier version on the same subject), and  “Jesus Washing the Disciples’ Feet” was painted in 1965 (replacing an earlier version).

‘Are Ye Able’ inside the Chapel of the Light of the World (in the Side Chapel)
‘The Crucifixion’
‘The Good Samaritan’
‘Jesus Washing the Disciples’ feet’

It would be of interest to note that David Paynter, an old boy of Trinity, was a pioneer creator of a Sri Lankan idiom in what was essentially a Western art form The monumental work of architecture in the Chapel was exemplified by Paynter’s work on the murals, “an European world view rooted in the vernacular of the land”.

He was a respected sportsman, having boxed and played rugby. When he returned to Trinity in 1925 to work on the murals, he also taught art, coached school sports teams, and indulged his fancy for theatricals; he spent school vacations under canvas in the jungles painting.

David Paynter working on the Crucifixion mural
David Paynter working on the “Washing of the Feet” mural

Restorations done in 1954 and 1990s

In 1954 the original corrugated zinc roof sheets were replaced with calicut tiles., During the course of the re-roofing, the murals above the pulpit and lectern were badly damaged. Paynter subsequently repainted these murals, completing the work in 1957.

The same murals were re-touched by Stanley Kirinde in the 1990’s.

Present condition of the murals

Due to the murals being open to the elements for many years, they are in dire need of restoration.  The paintings have suffered from several agents of deterioration: rainwater and contaminants being the main culprits. The impact of light or visible radiation and ultra-violet radiation is greater on the front murals, compared to the Crucifixion mural and the one inside the Side Chapel.

The dissociation of paint particles is considered to be another cause for the deterioration of the murals. Whitish lines in a rectangular grid (corresponding to the stone block dimensions) are now clearly visible on the murals.

It is estimated that within the next 90 years, this deterioration, if left unarrested, will escalate to the extent that the murals may not be visible.

We believe a full restoration of the murals would help these paintings to last longer physically and aesthetically at the Chapel.

Proposed conservation treatments

The College is planning to tackle the deterioration of the murals in the following manner:

  1. Building – roof repair
  2. Structural – stone support related
  3. Surface – paint surface and varnish related

The civil work in connection with the roof repair has already been completed and the result is currently under observation. Old boys and well wishes who wish to be a part of this restoration project are welcome to write to info@trinitycollege.lk for further information.

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Our congratulations to the Trinity College Rugby F Our congratulations to the Trinity College Rugby Football Team for winning the Rugby Encounter played against St. Anthony's College, Kandy in a closely-contested game with a score of 25 - 18.

The game was played at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium today. 

#trinitycollegekandy #rugby #sports #schools #league #trinity #college #kandy #srilanka

Pic: ThePapare.com
Coming up! We are almost done with the restoratio Coming up!

We are almost done with the restoration work of the Quadrangle and Napier House building under the T150 Infrastructure Initiative.

More news will be posted soon.

#trinitycollegekandy #trinity150 #infrastructure #projects #trinity #college #kandy #srilanka
We warmly welcome @sltmobitel_official as one of o We warmly welcome @sltmobitel_official as one of our Principal Sponsors for the Trinity College Rugby Football Team!

#trinitycollegekandy #SLTMOBITEL #sponsors #rugby #sports
Our congratulations to Trinity College Rugby Footb Our congratulations to Trinity College Rugby Football Team for emerging victorious winning the Canon RS De Saram Shield this year!

Trinity scored 20-13 playing against S. Thomas' College, Mt. Lavinia at the recently concluded match held at the Pallekelle Rugby Stadium on 25th June 2022.

#trinitycollegekandy #trinityrugby #schools #rugby #league #sports #trinity #college #kandy #srilanka
Watch: Trinity College Rugby 2022 preview - featur Watch: Trinity College Rugby 2022 preview - featuring Trinity College 1st XV and their preparations for the upcoming season.

#trinitycollegekandy #rugby #trinity #college #kandy #srilanka #schoolsrugby 

Credits: Quadrangle Magazine
Trinity Monday - Feast of the Holy Trinity Church Trinity Monday - Feast of the Holy Trinity Church and Service of Confirmation took place on 13th June 2022 at the College Chapel

Visit our Flickr site to view the full album.

#trinitycollegekandy #TrinityMonday #service #chapel #trinity #college #kandy #srilanka #event #education
Our Congratulations to Trinity College for winning Our Congratulations to Trinity College for winning the 'Richard Aluwihare Trophy' at the 40th Limited Overs Cricket Encounter held on 11th June 2022 at the Asgiriya International Cricket Stadium.

Trinity played against St. Anthony's College, Kandy and emerged victorious by 4 wickets. 

#trinitycollegekandy #cricket #tck #sack #sports #kandy #srilanka
The Student Task Force (STF) is delighted to open The Student Task Force (STF) is delighted to open its membership to Grade 12 Students (2021 O/L Batch).

As we approach the apex of our sesquicentennial year, we intend to build a strong core for the future by equipping the young Trinitians to take up roles in management and organization complementing the education outside the classroom.

We invite all Grade 12 students to register by filling the online form available on our College website!

#trinitycollegekandy #studenttaskforce #stf #enaggement #students #activities #enrolment #trinity #college #kandy #srilanka
The Grand view from the rooftop terrace of the Abe The Grand view from the rooftop terrace of the Abeyratne - Jeyaraj Block.

#trinitycollegekandy #trinity #college #kandy #srilanka #landscape #surroundings #campus
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