Ever wondered where Dutch services still echo in Jakarta? It’s at the Immanuel Protestant Church. This church stands as one of Indonesia’s oldest. It graces the corner of Jalan Medan Merdeka Timur and Jalan Pejambon.
Once, this area was Weltevreden. Now it’s Gambir. The Immanuel Protestant Church still holds some services in Dutch. But it also offers them in Indonesian and English.
Let’s step back to the 1830s. The Dutch Reformists and Lutherans in Batavia had an idea. They wanted a church. J.H. Horst designed it. The first stone was laid on August 24 1835. Four years later, on the same day, it was done.
The Immanuel Protestant Church was first named Willemskerk. This honored King William I of the Netherlands. It became a key civic building in Koningsplein. That square later became Merdeka Square.
Inside the Immanuel Protestant Church sits a Bätz organ. It was installed in 1843. Restored in 1985, it still fills the church with music. The church also safeguards a Dutch State Bible. Nicolaas Goetzee of Gorinchem printed it in 1748.
Look at the Immanuel Protestant Church building itself. It’s all brick with stone columns. The portico shows Indies Empire style. It rises from a 3-meter foundation. Solid teak doors greet visitors. Brass decorates the handles and keyholes. Above, a broad dark grey-brown dome stands out. A white cupola tops it.
Step inside the Immanuel Protestant Church and note the circular layout. It has a 9.5-meter diameter. Grey marble tiles cover the floor. Chairs encircle the space. The state lectern once served the Governor of Batavia.
In 1948, after Indonesia’s independence, Willemskerk became Immanuel Protestant Church. In December 2021 Jakarta’s governor Anies Baswedan declared Immanuel Protestant Church a cultural heritage site. This followed a careful revitalization.
The Immanuel Protestant Church features an Orgel Pipa Immanuel. It has stood since 1841. It has witnessed Indonesian music history. This organ has 1114 pipes. Its sound is celebrated. Most of its parts are original. The keys are even made of elephant ivory. The building’s acoustics enhance the organ’s sound.
The Immanuel Protestant Church’s congregation has preserved this organ. Every Sunday service includes the pipe organ. Even weddings feature its music.
Many have visited the Immanuel Protestant Church to see the Orgel Pipa Immanuel. Kanselir Jerman Angela Merkel visited in 2012. Queen Juliana of the Netherlands worshipped here in 1971.
Jonathan Bätz & Comp from Utrecht built the organ. It was finished by October 10 1841. After testing in Utrecht’s Jacobikerk it was shipped to Indonesia. It was inaugurated on July 16 1843.
During the Japanese occupation the Immanuel Protestant Church became a house of ashes for fallen soldiers. Marks remain on the organ pipes. In 1985 Fa. Flentrop Orgelbouw restored the organ.
The Orgel Pipa Immanuel has pipes tuned to A equals 448 Hz. This is different from today’s standard. A equals 440 Hz.
The Immanuel Protestant Church and its organ underwent revitalization in 2021. The air box was reconstructed. The pipes were cleaned. Governor Anies Baswedan reopened it.
Many organists have played the Orgel Pipa Immanuel. Resital Immanuel promotes the organ. The Immanuel Protestant Church remains a center for organ music in Indonesia.