Negombo has been influenced greatly by the Christian faith since the Portuguese occupation, earning it the nickname "Little Rome" due to the numerous churches in the city.
Construction of St. Mary's Church, the fifth on this site, began in 1874 and was completed in 1922. The first church was established in 1544, marking over 480 years of Christian presence in the area. The art and architecture of this church exemplify the cultural amalgamation of European practices with Sri Lankan art during the early 20th century.
