Before us stands Gereja Katolik Santo Matias. It is a beacon of faith in Cinere. This church is more than just a building. It represents a community’s dream realized through faith and hard work.
In the early 1970s, about 20 Catholic families resided in the TNI-AL Pangkalan Jati complex. Others lived nearby. They were guided by the Paroki St. Yohanes Penginjil. Later, in 1976, Paroki St. Stephanus was founded. The areas of Pangkalan Jati and Cinere became part of St. Stephanus.
By 1978, the Catholic community grew to 135 families. They resided around Pangkalan Jati. This included Karang Tengah, Cinere, Gandul, and Limo. A place of worship was established in 1980. Kanjantamal’s decree made it possible. It was located at JI. Baros No. 3 Komp. AL. It stood alongside a mosque, a Protestant church, and a Hindu temple. Laksamana Waluyo Sugito inaugurated the church. Mgr. Leo Sukoto SJ blessed it.
The community desired its own parish. Uskup Jakarta approved this. Uskup Bogor Mgr. Ignatius Harsono, Pr. agreed too. They founded YAYASAN KARYA PUTRA to start a new parish. The Cinere Church Building Committee formed in April 1992. On December 3, 1993, Paroki Cinere was established. Romo Agustinus Suyatno Pr became the first pastor. He arrived in Cinere on January 1, 1994.
The parish’s boundaries were set geographically. The eastern border was Kali Krukut. The western border was Kali Pesanggrahan. The northern border included JI. Karang Tengah, Jalan Haji Ipin, and Jalan Margasatwa. The southern border was the edge of Limo and Maruyung.
The Building Committee worked tirelessly. They raised funds through various means. They distributed donation envelopes. They sold collected rice, paper, and used items. Sports tournaments and other activities were held. Construction began with a groundbreaking on January 15, 1995. Mgr. Michael Cosmas Angkur OFM, Uskup Bogor, officiated.
The Gereja Katolik Santo Matias was completed quickly. It stood magnificent and artistic. Its use was inaugurated on December 17, 1995. Kepala Staf Angkatan Laut Laksamana TNI Tanto Koeswanto opened the church. Uskup Bogor Mgr. Michael Cosmas Angkur Djadu OFM blessed it.
By mid-1998, the parish had 3,500 registered members. They were spread across 3 regions and 11 communities. Romo Agustinus Suyatno Pr served as the first pastor. He was followed by Romo Yoseph Hardjono Pr. Various organizations support the parish. These include Wanita Katolik R.I. and Legio Mariae.
The parish owns land in Maruyung. It anticipates future growth. The Gereja Katolik Santo Matias stands as a testament. It shows what faith, community, and hard work can achieve.