- Address: Jl. Jemb. Batu No.17, RT.9 / RW.4, Pinangsia, Tamansari, Kota Jakarta Barat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 11110, Indonesia
- Year of construction: 1695
- Area: 800 square meters. m
Gereja Zion is located in Taman Sari - the smallest district of Jakarta , located in the west of the city, near the coast. This historical landmark is usually included in sightseeing tours to the northern part of Jakarta or are visited independently, combining with other interesting places of the north and west of the capital.
History of the Church of Gereja Zion
The oldest church in Jakarta began to be built in 1693 by residents of Portuguese colonies close to Indonesia , mainly from India and Malaysia . They were all brought to the island of Java as Dutch slaves captured on land or at sea, and converted by Portuguese to Catholicism. The Dutch offered them freedom in exchange for accepting Protestantism. For those who agreed to build a church near the city gate outside the Batavia.
Most often, the locals called the church Portuguese, foreign or new, sometimes they talked about the "church of the Mardijiks", after the name of the liberated slaves who became Protestants. Over time, the church changed its names several times, and during the Second World War, the Japanese occupied the city for 2 years. They were going to make a columbarium here, but they did not have time. Only by 1957 the temple received its current name - Gereja Zion.
Church today
Outwardly, the Gereja Zion building is not much like a church: it is an ordinary white brick house with high arched windows that illuminate the interior well. The interior attracts attention to the richness of the decoration:
- panels made of ebony;
- baroque chandeliers;
- copper candelabra;
- ancient organ.
The huge cast-iron pillars supporting the vault are painted white, making the space more light. They are gradually moving into a six-arcade arcade. In the interior of Gereja Zion, hand-crafted wooden furniture with fine carvings is distinguished, which was specially created for it by masters from Taiwan.
Today Gereja Zion is an active temple in which services are held, organ music plays, choirs sing. If you are interested, then it's worth trying to get to the worship service to listen to the preachers and singers.
How to get to the temple?
The easiest way to get to Gereja Zion is to take a taxi. Will have to overcome 7 km. It's only 15 minutes from the city center. If you prefer public transport , then the bus goes to the church number 1. The nearest stop is Halte Transjakarta Kota. The ticket price is $ 0.25.