Located in a rural hamlet in the Kilinochchi District, the new church was designed, in the same premises as the chapel that experienced the brunt of the 30-year Civil War. The design was done in response to the climate, culture and the spiritual requirements of the community.
A raised platform called the ‘thinnai’ wraps around the church hall acting as a buffer during rains and provides shelter for the people during floods and other uncertain situations, allowing the church to also function as a Community Centre.
The Altar Cross was made using burnt timber from a roof that was burnt during the final stages of the war. The large permeable openings on either side create a close connection between the internal and external spaces, while offering shelter from the constantly fluctuating weather conditions.
With the onset of nightfall, the warm lights form the interior filters out through the paneled openings creating the church to glow with a warm hue.
