Gereja Bunda Hati Kudus

In 1935, a humble house on Jalan Chaulanweg, later known as Jalan Kyai Haji Hasyim Ashari, became the unlikely birthplace of Gereja Bunda Hati Kudus. The house, purchased by Father Anton Bröcker of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, initially served as a small chapel under the jurisdiction of Jakarta Cathedral. Gereja Bunda Hati Kudus, meaning “Church of the Sacred Heart”, was entrusted to the care of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in 1938. Imagine the quiet devotion within those walls, a stark contrast to the bustling commerce that would later surround the church. The church’s namesake, “Bunda Hati Kudus” or Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, reflects the devotion initiated by Father Jules Chevalier, founder of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Construction of the present Gereja Bunda Hati Kudus began in 1964, amidst a growing city. On July 30, 1967, Archbishop Adrianus Djajasepoetra consecrated the new church. Now surrounded by towering businesses, Gereja Bunda Hati Kudus continues to serve as a spiritual haven in the heart of Jakarta. Daily mass, held in Bahasa Indonesia, offers a moment of reflection amidst the city’s rhythm. The adjacent Goa Maria Bunda Hati Kudus, a small grotto dedicated to Mary, provides a quiet space for prayer. Here, near the statue of Mary, the words of the Memorare offer solace and strength. Attached to Gereja Bunda Hati Kudus, Tarsisius 1 School, run by the Sacred Heart Foundation, educates children from kindergarten through high school, further solidifying the church’s role in the community.