iSurprise Santa Maria Church

Catholic Church built in Chinese style

This is the only church in Indonesia built in Chinese style.

Temple or church?

A first glance, this building looks like a temple (klenteng). But the Maria statue in the garden gives away that it’s, in fact, a Catholic Church (gereja). This is the only church in Indonesia built in Chinese style.

Catholic Chinese community

The gereja was built as the family residence of the Tjoe family, devout Catholics. They originally hailed from Fujian in South China but have lived here in Jakarta for generations. When in 1955, the Glodok Catholic community needed a new church building, the Tjoes offered their mansion to be used as a church.

Come in!

The Catholic community in Glodok is very active. On Sundays, there are six masses you can choose to attend. Are you there on a weekday? You are welcome to visit and just look around!

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