From humble beginnings in a rice storage room. The Gereja Kristen Protestan Oikoumene Halim Perdanakusuma stands tall. Its story is one of faith resilience and growth.
In the 1950s a small group of Christian families. These were members of the Indonesian Air Force. They lived in Halim Perdanakusuma airbase. They began holding informal prayer meetings. These early gatherings were diverse. The families came from various backgrounds and denominations. Key figures in this nascent congregation included the Ritiau Felix W Riki Legi Sahuka and Muntu families.
Initially. They attended services at the Gereja Tiga Mei in Cililitan. This was a church led by Pastor Mamesa of the Indonesian Army. However. The growing number of Air Force members attending. Led to a decision to hold their own Sunday services.
Their first official service was in 1953. It took place in a humble rice storage facility. This was part of a larger complex. Pastor Zacharias Leirissa. An Army chaplain assigned to the Air Force. Led this first service. He became the first Air Force chaplain. This marks the origin of the Gereja Kristen Protestan Oikoumene Halim Perdanakusuma.
Early services were small. Only 5 to 8 families attended. Mr S Ritiau Mr A Legi and Mr Mowoka oversaw the service preparations. Sunday school was also held in the same location. In 1956 a women’s group was formed by Mrs Avia Martha Matatula. This later became the Martha Maria Women’s Commission.
By June 1957 services were regular. Catechism classes were also introduced. The church’s governing body was called the Badan Pembantu Pemeliharaan dan Perawatan Rohani Protestan (BP3RP). This organization was formed according to official guidelines. It was responsible for congregational development. June 23 1957 was declared the official founding date of the Gereja Kristen Protestan Oikoumene Halim Perdanakusuma.
The church continued to grow. Its congregation outgrew the small storage facility. In 1966. Services moved to the larger Gedung Rajawali. This building allowed more people to attend services. It united the northern and southern sections of the Halim complex.
The continued growth resulted in the construction of a permanent church building. Colonel Udara Rusman. The airbase commander. Donated 5500 square meters of land. The new church was completed in 1967. It became the central hub of the congregation. It remains so to this day.
The Gereja Kristen Protestan Oikoumene Halim Perdanakusuma faced challenges. A neighboring church initially contested its legitimacy. However. After discussions and in accordance with decisions of the Indonesian Christian Church Council (PGI). Its status was confirmed.
In 2000 a bomb exploded near the church on Christmas Eve. This was part of a series of bombings across Indonesia. Miraculously no one was killed or seriously injured. The incident highlighted the dangers of religious extremism. However it also demonstrated the strength and resilience of the Gereja Kristen Protestan Oikoumene Halim Perdanakusuma.
Today. The Gereja Kristen Protestan Oikoumene Halim Perdanakusuma. Continues to thrive. It serves a diverse congregation. It plays a vital role in the community. It stands as a testament to the enduring power of faith community and resilience.