Imagine a humble event in 1966. A child was buried without proper religious rites. This spurred local Catholics to unite forming the Ikatan Keluarga Katolik Slipi. This community was the start of Gereja Katolik Kristus Salvator.
Gereja Katolik Kristus Salvator stands in Slipi, Palmerah in West Jakarta. It falls under the Archdiocese of Jakarta. The church is dedicated to Kristus Salvator.
In 1968, Father Clemens Schreurs was assigned to establish a CICM house in Jakarta. Slipi was chosen because it was near Regina Pacis Palmerah and a clinic run by FMM nuns. The CICM was also required to serve in a parish. Bishop Adrianus Djajasepoetra officially chose Slipi as the service location on August 31, 1968. The Slipi Parish was founded on October 27, 1968 with the first baptism recorded. Since there was no church building Mass was held in the FMM Sisters Chapel at Regina Pacis. Paroki Kristus Salvator officially separated from Paroki Pejompongan on May 24, 1972.
Father Antonius Godefrooy proposed forming a church legal entity on October 23 1969 for better management. Bishop Leo Soekoto appointed a Church and Papa Fund Management Board on August 20 1970. This board prepared land rights for church construction.
After two rejections from the Jakarta Provincial Government they bought a former workshop on Jalan KS Tubun in 1971. The building was renovated into a church. Official permission was granted on August 28 1972. Archbishop Soekoto dedicated the church on October 1 1972. It could hold about 500 people.
As the congregation grew the church building became too small. Even with five weekend Masses it was not enough. Land behind the old church was acquired in 1982. Construction of a new church began with the laying of the first stone on December 4 1983. A teak crucifix by Balinese artist Ida Bagus Tilem was installed on July 22 1985. A statue of the Virgin Mary by Masto Hardjo completed the church. The new Gereja Katolik Kristus Salvator was inaugurated on September 14 1985. It was blessed by Mgr Leo Soekoto on September 15 1985. The old church building remained as a hall.
Growing activities led to a need for more pastoral space. In 2005 the heirs of the previous owner offered land and buildings between the church and the hall. The sale was signed on July 12 2005 and the land was handed over on November 5 2005.
Gereja Kristus Salvator became the site of the Indonesian Bishops Conference’s GOTAUS Mass on November 10 2013.
The church’s design resembles embracing hands. A balcony provides additional space for worshippers. Statues adorn the sanctuary. Stained glass windows depict the four evangelists around the sanctuary. Inside Gereja Katolik Kristus Salvator you will find Pieta a statue of the Virgin Mary and statues of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Saint Joseph.
Gereja Kristus Salvator holds daily and weekly Masses. Weekly Masses are on Saturday evenings at 5 PM. Sunday Masses are at 6:30 AM 9:00 AM and 5 PM. Daily Mass is at 6:00 AM. Services are in Indonesian. Gereja Katolik Kristus Salvator stands as a testament to faith community and perseverance.