Longing for a place of worship fueled the hearts of Sunter’s Catholic community. In 1969 their dream began to take shape. A kring was formed in 1970. This was the genesis of Gereja St Lukas.
Gereja St Lukas Paroki Sunter is more than just a church. It is a testament to faith perseverance and community growth. Its story unfolds over decades reflecting the evolving spiritual landscape of Jakarta. Initially a multi-purpose building served as both a school and a place of worship. Father Henricus van Opzeeland SJ played a crucial role in guiding the early community.
The congregation expanded rapidly. By 1973 the kring became a lingkungan then a wilayah. In 1978 the Santo Hendrikus multipurpose hall opened. It became a central hub fostering community bonds and collaboration. Different religious orders served Gereja St Lukas over time. Jesuit priests were followed by Xaverian priests. Sadly during the Xaverian tenure thieves broke into the sacristy stealing some liturgical equipment. Later the Society of the Divine Word SVD priests prepared Sunter to become an independent parish.
The need for a dedicated church building increased. In 1984 the growing congregation attended mass at the Santo Lukas Sunter Utara school hall. A committee PPGS Panitia Pembangunan Gereja Sunter was formed to build a new church in Sunter Agung. Finally in 1989 the Jakarta Archdiocese entrusted the Franciscan Conventual Order OFM Conv with the pastoral care of the Sunter parish. Archbishop Leo Soekoto SJ presided over the celebratory mass officially establishing Paroki Santo Lukas Sunter on August 20 1989.
The official blessing of Gereja St Lukas took place on April 25 1993. The church holds daily and weekly masses in Indonesian. Weekly masses are held on Saturday evenings and Sundays. Daily masses are held early in the morning. A special mass is also held on the first Friday of each month. Gereja St Lukas stands as a beacon of faith a symbol of the enduring spirit of its community and a vibrant part of Jakarta’s religious heritage. It’s a place where generations of Catholics have found solace and spiritual nourishment. Today Gereja St Lukas continues its mission of faith serving the community of Sunter and beyond.