×

Online PaymentS

Will be available soon

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

Open in Google Maps
CALL: +94 81 223 4297
  • ONLINE PAYMENTS
  • Home
  • About Trinity
    • Principal
    • Chapel
      • Choir
    • Ryde Gold Medal
    • The College Hymn
    • The College Song
  • Sections
    • Kindergarten
    • Junior School
    • Local Advance Level
    • International Advanced Level
  • Office 365
    • Office 365 Portal
      • Microsoft Teams on Web
      • Office Applications
        • Microsoft Word
        • Microsoft Excel
        • Microsoft PowerPoint
      • Outlook on Web
      • OneNote on Web
      • OneDrive on Web
      • Microsoft SharePoint
      • Microsoft Planner
      • Microsoft Sway
      • Microsoft Yammer
    • Learning at Home
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Support Tutorials
      • College Email Accounts
      • Microsoft Teams
  • News & Events
    • The TrinitianNew
    • News & Articles
      • College News
      • General Articles
    • Careers
    • Events
    • Gallery
  • Trinity 150
    • T150 College Celebrations
      • MemorabiliaNew
    • Trinity History Project
    • Trinity150 Infrastructure Projects
  • Contact Us
London A/Level:
June 2022 Intake
NOW OPEN
Friday, 12 November 2021 / Published in College, General Articles, History

Ceylon, Rev. William Oakley and the Oakley’s Church

Ceylon & the Church Missionary Society

The period immediately following the fall of the Kandyan monarchy was one of rapid changes in Ceylon in general and Kandy in particular. A new community was emerging along the island’s beaches, nourished by the British monarchy and the Christian faith. However, as freedom conflicts raged in the newly conquered hill country, this new era took its time to permeate across the entire island.

Following the upcountry subjugation of Kandyan Chiefs in 1815, the British took control of the Kandyan kingdom, and one of the measures of this new government was to create new Christian roots within the center of the island. This task was to be handled by the many missionary societies which arrived at Ceylon such as the London mission and the Baptist mission which were among the major societies who were keen on spreading their teachings in Ceylon.

The Church Missionary Society (CMS) was well established in India by 1814, with interests in new lands such as Ceylon. The new opportunity in Ceylon piqued their interest, and the first two CMS missionaries were sent here but were later reassigned to the India mission.

CMS again assigned four missionaries to Ceylon in 1817. These four missionaries were tasked with staying and carrying on the work of the previous missionaries who had been restated. Names of many famous and well-loved missionaries came to be recorded over the years, but in the Central Province, evangelistic agencies were only able to be properly established in the year 1853. However, prior to this, the CMS occupied Kandy as a mission station in 1819.

The Kandy mission and Rev. William Oakley

Sir Robert Brownrigg

Sir Robert Brownrigg was the then Governor of Ceylon, and he was well-known for his efforts to keep the Central Province under control during this period. However, thanks to him and the initiative of a few missionaries, a mission station in Kandy was established to carry out the society’s work. Although a few missionaries who circulated among other mission stations took care of the Kandy mission in the coming years, the most connected name to Kandy is the Rev. William Oakley.

Establishing the Reverend’s lineage is an impossible task because there have been a staggering number of William Oakleys in recent years, and misinformation is unavoidable. The Reverend William Oakley, husband of Frances Mary Oakley, is the William Oakley in discussion. The Reverend Oakley arrived in Galle with his wife Mary on September 21, 1839, to begin his work as a missionary in Ceylon.

Few sources claim that he was tasked to serve in a few missions before moving to the Central Province, but the clearest records show that the Reverend was immediately tasked to the Kandy mission, where he and his wife were well-loved by the local congregation for their work and commitment to their mission. The CMS’s vision has always been to bring the Christian faith to the local community in a practical yet precise manner. Recognizing this, Rev. Oakley turned to the local language and conducted worship services in Sinhala and English languages. This drew a sizable crowd of Kandyans to his congregation.

The Oakley’s Church

Oakley’s Church 1855

Rev. Oakley was a devout Christian who never considered returning to England during his 32-year tenure in the Kandyan mission. In 1855, he worked in the Kandy mission, taking the initiative and laying the groundwork for one of the town’s most well-known churches, the Holy Trinity Church. However, because Rev Oakley was the founding father of the church and his devotion to the church, it became known as “Oakley’s Church.”

Following the formation of a well-nurtured Christian community, the Rev. William Oakley was transferred to other missions such as Nuwara-Eliya after his loving wife Mary Oakley died in 1859, and he continued his work as the secretary and counselor of the Ceylon CMS for another twenty years. His work in Kandy was later delegated to a number of clerics, including native priests such as Rev Cornelius Jayasinha.

Oakley’s Church near the entrance to the College – 1920

Birth of the Kandy Collegiate School

As Oakley’s Church served its purpose over the years, the Rev. John Ireland -Jones arrived with the idea of establishing a Christian-centered school of education in Kandy.

Rev. Ireland -Jones opened the Kandy Collegiate School on the same grounds as the Holy Trinity Church because the atmosphere was conducive to such an endeavor and because of Rev. Oakley’s assistance. This new institution existed for a few years with the support of the local Trinity Church congregation and was attended by the sons of local chiefs, but it was forced to close in 1871.

Trinity College Kandy, the school we know today was founded when the Kandy Collegiate School was reopened by the Rev. Richard Collins, and it would not have been possible without the assistance of Oakley’s church and its congregation.

Despite the formation of a new school, Oakley’s church was the front face of the compound, and the College sought a place of worship in the Church. In certain cases, the College was even referred to as Oakley’s College. Many generations of Trinitians and local Christians have spent time in the Oakley’s church. The church was home to everything from weekly Holy Communion services to daily morning prayers and evensongs! However, with the expanding Kandyan Christian community and the ever-improving Trinity College, Oakley’s Church needed to expand to fulfill rising demands. In the early 1920s, the church was nearing the end of its life as a historic structure. Many people expressed dissatisfaction with its restricted capacity and unmaintainable interior. It was Rev. A.G. Fraser, Trinity’s Golden Era Principal, who chose to build a new place of worship for Trinity College. The Oakley’s Church was demolished in 1939.

Reminiscing the Past and Looking to the End

There is no definite record of what happened to Reverend Oakley after he served as the CMS counselor. While some sources claim that he returned to England at the end of his term, other sources say that he passed away and was buried in Nuwara Eliya Mrs. Frances Mary Oakley passed away in Kandy in 1859, and the Church congregation buried her in what was then the Church grounds (and now a part of the the school compound).. At present, the gravestone can be seen on the slope near the newly constructed Hilary Abeyratne Paul Jeyaraj building.

  • Entrance door of the Oakleys Church
  • Gravestone of Frances Mary Oakley

The College Main Hall (built in 1941) now stands as the front face of the College compound. The current College car park is situated where Oakley’s Church originally stood. The only remaining artifact from the Oakley’s Church is its original entrance door, which can now be seen at the entrance to the catwalk leading to the College archives. The work begun by Rev. Oakley and his church is currently being carried on by the present College Chapel, which is also known as Holy Trinity Church.

It is obvious that Oakley’s church was a fountain that enriched our forefathers in Trinity, as well as the Christian community of modern Kandy, to live and behave spiritually. It is the obligation of everyone who bears the College’s name to remember that they are standing on a sacred ground where God’s work was once done!

Bibliography:

  • Ceylon-Ananda.com. 2021. The Trinity College Kandy Archives – Ceylon-Ananda.com. [online] Available at: <http://ceylon-ananda.com/11931/> [Accessed 12 November 2021].
  • Google Books. 2021. List of inscriptions on tombstones and monuments in Ceylon, of historical or local interest, with an obituary of persons uncommemorated. [online] Available at: <https://books.google.lk/books?id=lWHHDwAAQBAJ&pg> [Accessed 12 November 2021].
  • Internet Archive. 1922. One hundred years in Ceylon, or, The centenary volume of the Church Missionary Society in Ceylon, 1818-1918 : Balding, John William : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. [online] Available at: <https://archive.org/details/yearsinceylon00balduoft> [Accessed 12 November 2021].
  • Eprints.soas.ac.uk. 1974. Buddhism & Christianity in Ceylon. [online] Available at: <https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/33598/1/11010359.pdf> [Accessed 12 November 2021].
  • 1900. The missions of the Church Missionary Society : the Ceylon and Mauritius missions.. [ebook] London : Church Missionary Society. Available at: <https://jstor.org/stable/10.2307/saoa.crl.25057615> [Accessed 12 November 2021].

Article by Dinil Jayasuriya

What you can read next

Inquest ’19 – presented by the Trinity College Quiz Club – reviewed
Grade 2 Weekly Newsletter – 19 September 2021
Trinity College wins Ashley Halpe Memorial Trophy for best boys’ play “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”

LATEST NEWS

  • Trinity Monday 2022 – Feast of the Holy Trinity Church and Service of ConfirmationJune 19, 2022
  • International Advanced Level – Admissions 2022May 25, 2022
  • Leading with diplomacy: SLMUN 2021May 17, 2022
  • Medical Camp conducted by the Interact Club in collaboration with the Trinity Doctors’ AssociationMay 12, 2022
  • Principal’s Report for the Prize Giving 2020/21May 4, 2022
  • The Lakshman Kadirgamar Debating Championship: New Beginnings!April 21, 2022

Trinity on Instagram

trinitycollege.lk

Exploring Vistas of Excellence since 1872

Trinity College Kandy
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
Our best wishes to the Trinity College Rugby Footb Our best wishes to the Trinity College Rugby Football Team as they commence their Inter-School Under 20 League Rugby Football Tournament today!

We also extend our gratitude to the Principal Sponsors, @ndbbank and @sltmobitel_official , and the Co-Sponsors Shockman & Samerawickreme and Montrela for being a partner in Trinity's Rugby Football heritage.

#trinitycollegekandy #trinityrugby #rugby #sports #schools #league #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
The 'Lions vs Giants' Rugby Encounter was held on The 'Lions vs Giants' Rugby Encounter was held on 05th June 2022 at the Pallekele Rugby Stadium.

The match was played between the Trinity 1st XV Squad and former 1XV Players. 

#trinitycollegekandy #rugby #sports #lionsvsgiants #trinity #college #kandy #srilanka

Pictures: Quadrangle Magazine
Load More… Follow us on Instagram

TRINITY COLLEGE ON FLICKR

    Browse Our Gallery

    Tweets @TrinityColKandy

    16 hours agoWe warmly welcome @slt_mobitel as one of our Principal Sponsors for the Trinity College Rugby Football Team!… https://t.co/XoA9ngnjcv
    18 hours agoNotice: Academic Programme from 27 June 2022 Read the full announcement at https://t.co/DpaJoCWJSn
    yesterdayTrinity scored 20-13 playing against S. Thomas' College, Mt. Lavinia at the recently concluded match held at the Pa… https://t.co/zzMUZ2QPQU
    yesterdayOur congratulations to Trinity College Rugby Football Team for emerging victorious winning the Canon RS De Saram Sh… https://t.co/818Qov6d0O
    Follow @TrinityColKandy

    Archives

    Tweets @TrinityColKandy

    16 hours agoWe warmly welcome @slt_mobitel as one of our Principal Sponsors for the Trinity College Rugby Football Team!… https://t.co/XoA9ngnjcv
    Follow @TrinityColKandy

    Quick Links

    • Home
    • Contact
    • News and Media
    • Trinity150
    • Events
    • Online Payments
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • My Account
    • GET SOCIAL
    Trinity College Kandy - Respice Finem

    Copyright © 2000 - 2022 Trinity College, Kandy. All rights reserved.

    TOP
    X