Matale is a town in the hill country of Sri Lanka, 142 kilometres (90 miles) from Colombo and 26 kilometres (17 miles) from Kandy. It is an area steeped in history and village living.

The Matale administrative district also contains the historic Sigiriya rock castle, Aluwihare Temple and Dambulla Cave Temple. Surrounding the town are the Knuckles foothills called Wiltshire. It is a mainly agricultural area, where tea, rubber, vegetable and spice cultivation dominate. Knuckles mountains are special landmark of Matale

The Aluvihare Temple, on the North side of the town, is the historic location where the Pali Canon was first written down completely in text on ola (palm) leaves. Situated near Aluvihare are numerous monastery caves, some of which exhibit fine frescoes.

Matale was a sight a of a major battle in 1848 when the Matale Rebellion started and the British garrison in the Fort Macdowall in matale was placed under siege by the rebels.

Christ Church, Matale was consecrated by Bishop James Chapman on 30th December 1860.

The Church site chosen was Fort McDowall, commanding a view of the entrance to Matale via Trincomalee. The Church having been erected and furnished, the Revd William Frederick Kelly, Minister and Chaplain in Matale, and 36 others sent their petition to the Rt Revd James Chapman, D.D., to dedicate and consecrate Christ Church. The Parsonage was opened on 16th August 1862. 75th Anniversary was celebrated in 1935. Centenary was celebrated on 28th and 29th January 1961. 125th Anniversary was celebrated on 6th September 1986. The church was gutted by fire in 1985 and was completely renovated.