The history of St Mary's Church, Katukurunda dates back to the ara of persecution. From 1737 to 1795 as services of catholic priests were not available at Moaratuwa. Church leaders carried out the prayer meetings and other catholic rituals. One such church leader Mr. Gabrial Fernando had held prayer meetings in secrecy in a small hut which was situated at the present church premises.

He was also know for curing patients by his prayes to the Blessed Virgin Mary. When the government became aware of him, they seized him and put him in to work in chains and the hut was demolished. Subsequently a wife of a Dutch officer at Moratuwa became seriously ill and people informed about Mr. Gabrial to the officer. He was released and sought his help. From his prayers to Our Lady, the patient was cured. Following his miracle he was allowed to continue his prayer meetings at a newly built hut which was dedicated to St Mary.

Construction of the present church dedicated to the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary commenced in 1863 and was completed in 1881. A boys and a girls school were also established in the church ground to educate the children of the village by Rev. Fr Benadicthu Bondonie 1863.

The close relationship between church and the school became a foundation to the Christianity of the village and faithful and educated Catholics were moulded by the school, Katukurunda church was attached to the Moratuwa parish earlier became a separate parish in 1931. In 1937 Rev. Fr. F.E. Aubert came to Katukurunda parish. Several improvements to the church and specially to the school were carried out in his period which was built in 1863.

The school was used to carry out catechism classes on Sundays, it was also used to conduct church meetings such as parish council, confraternity of the Secret Heart, Children of Mary, Legion of Mary, Ladies of Charity etc. Other church activities like dramas, seminars and social functions were also held in the school building.