St. Paul's Church, Jakarta

St. Paul's Church
St. Paul's Church

Location in Indonesia

Coordinates: 6°12′2″S 106°49′53″E / 6.20056°S 106.83139°E
Location Jakarta
Country Indonesia
Denomination Calvinism
History
Former name(s) Pauluskerk, Nassaukerk
Founded 6 June 1936
Founder(s) Nederlandsche-Indie Kerk
Architecture
Functional status Active
Heritage designation A (1993)
Architect(s) F.J.L. Ghijsels
Architectural type Dutch Rationalist, New Indies Style
Specifications
Capacity 500
Number of floors 2
Number of spires 1
Administration
Diocese Mupel Jakarta Pusat
Synod Protestant Church in Western Indonesia
Clergy
Pastor(s) Pdt. Drs. Paulus Kariso, Rumambi, M.Si.

The St. Paul's Church or Gereja Paulus is a Protestant church located in Menteng, Jakarta, Indonesia.

History

St. Paul's Church in 1948.

The first laying of the foundation was done on 3 January 1936. The construction was complete within months and the following inauguration was held on January 3, 1936. The new church was named Nassaukerk.[1]

During the Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies, the Church was renamed Gereja Menteng, ("Menteng Church"). During this period, the Japanese still allowed the Dutch priests to held a mass until 1943, when the Dutch priests and the congregations were brought to internment camps. The mass itself was still held until it was banned sometimes later.[1]

In October 1944, the Dutch language mass was replaced with Malay language, even though in reality it was still mixed with Dutch language. This condition continued until October 1945, when Indonesia proclaimed independence. After this, The church was renamed Nassaukerk again and the mass resumed in Dutch, but the desire to held the mass in Indonesian language was apparent. At that time, there were only three Indonesian-speaking priests.[1]

On October 31, 1948, the synod of Protestant Church in Western Indonesia was formed. Nassaukerk was renamed Pauluskerk or Gereja Paulus (St. Paul's Church).[1]

Architecture

St. Paul's Church of Jakarta was designed by Frans Ghijsels of AIA bureau. St. Paul's Church has a cross-shaped layout, symbolizing the four cardinal points. The dominant form of the church is its steeped roofs with skylights on each of the four facades. The style is influenced by Dutch Rationalism.

The church building contains a spire with four original clock faces, still functioning, topped with a steeped roof.

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Nassaukerk" (in Indonesian). Dinas Komunikasi, Informatika dan Kehumasan Pemprov DKI Jakarta. 2011. Retrieved August 7, 2011.