A brief history of St. Aloysius’ Seminary.

It was around 1890, that the idea of a Minor Seminary was conceived in the mind of Mgr. Rev.Fr. Christopher Bonjean O.M.I., But his untimely death (Aug. 1892) postponed this event. Then Rev.Fr. Charles Collin O.M.I became the administrator of Colombo. During this period, Rev.Fr. Coquil O.M.I. opened the first seminary in Kotahena.

On the 12^th of August 1893, the first seminarian, Johannes Fernando Gunawardena of Tudella ( Fr. Coumoul was then the Parish Priest at Kotahena) was received by Fr. Coquil to the seminary at Kotahena. The Father’s own room “St. Louis” the name inscribed on the lintel of the door, was the Little Seminary. For ten days, he was the only Seminarian. When there were five Seminarians, he built a house for the Seminary, behind the Cathedral of St .Lucias’, on the other side of St. Lucia’s Lane. The official opening of the Seminary was held on the 28^th of August 1893.  (On the feast of St. Augustine, and the 10^th anniversary of the arrival of the Oblates). The Seminarians went to St. Benedict’s College for their studies till 1895. At the end of Dec.1895, the Little Seminary was amalgamated with St. Bernard’s Seminary at Borella, under the same superior, Fr.Coquil. The students went to St. Joseph’s College for their studies.

On 29^th Aug. 1899, the Archbishop Melizon gifted money to Mgr. John Aloysius Maver to buy a land for the seminary. He purchased “Rockby House” in Union Place, the extent of the land was 2 acres, 2 roods, 8 perches, and the cost was Rs: 32,000/-. The little Seminary was born and established in its new place. It was named and dedicated to St. Aloysius, in honour of its principal benefactor. There were 25 Seminarians.

It was transferred to St. Bernard’s Seminary (Present Aquinas College) in January 1908, according to the urgencies created by the Oblate Novitiate. But it was for a short time. It was brought back again.

In 1920, under the leadership and pastoral care of Archbishop Anthony Coudert O.M.I, the Little Seminary was rooted at Borella. On the 30^th of Nov.1920, the Archbishop laid the foundation stone to the permanent building at Borella. In 1920, Mgr. Coudert sold the “Rockby House” and money was spent to put up the building at Kynsey Road, Borella. On the 30^th of June 1921 Mgr. Pietro Pisani, the Apostolic Delegate to the East Indies blessed the new building.

On the 15^th of January 1941, the Seminary started its autonomous school. In 1941 Mgr. Masson and Fr. Selma, the Rector of the Seminary made the school recognized by the Government, as a secondary school.

On the 2^nd of February 1950, Mgr. Thomas Benjamin Cooray O.M.I. laid the foundation stone for the extension of the little Seminary. On the 23^rd of April 1951, both sides were completed and it was blessed by Mgr. Thomas Cooray. There had been a primary section of the Little Seminary, been functioning during this period at Maggona. (4^th -5^th STD) It was closed in 1951.

On the 4^th of Feb.1959, a separate new building with a hall and a science laboratory was blessed and opened by the Archbishop Delegate, His Excellency the Most Rev. James Knox. The Rector at that period was Rev.Fr. Don Peter. In 1961, the Seminary was given permission to prepare the students for G.C.E. Examination and A/L Examinations. On the 1^st of July 1983, the foundation stone was laid by Rev.Fr. Placidus Silva, the Rector, for an extension to the Pre-senior wing, to have 200 students. On the 21^st June 1984 the extension was ceremonially blessed and opened by His Grace the Archbishop of Colombo the Mort Rev. Dr. Nicholas Marcus Fernando.