Who were the Lee Brothers? Here at Gereja Kristus Ketapang their legacy lives on. This church has a fascinating history. It began as a small gathering. It started in the home of Lee Teng Ho in Kampung Muka.
Two missionaries Worthington and Baughman started it. They belonged to the Methodist Mission in 1910. Only about ten people attended. The group moved several times. They finally settled in a house on Jalan Prinsenlaan. This is now JI Mangga Besar No 9.
The Lee brothers helped this growing community. Lee Teng Po Lee Teng Ho Lie Kim Tian and Lee Teng San were the brothers. Lee Teng San was the father of Clement Suleeman. He was also the grandfather of Ferdy Suleeman. These men gave their time energy and ideas. The church depended on them. People often called it the Lee Brothers Church. It was under the Methodist Mission. It was named Gereja Methodist Mission.
In 1926 the church’s status changed. It became Gereja Methodist Mangga Besar. Reverend A V Klaus became the head of the congregation. Leaders wanted to unite Chinese churches in Java. They actively participated in the Konferensi Kristen Tionghoa. It took place in Cipaku Bogor in November 1926. They decided to create Bond Kristen Tionghoa. It was also known as Tiong Hoa Kie Tok Kauw Tjong Hwee.
In 1927 the Bond Kristen Tionghoa was officially established. Pouw Peng Hong and Khoe Lan Seng were leaders. Both were from Gereja Methodist Mangga Besar. The Methodist Mission withdrew from Java. They wanted to focus on ministry in Sumatra. They handed over churches in Jakarta and West Java. The Nederlandsche Zendings Vereeniging took over.
On January 1 1928 Gereja Methodist Mangga Besar made a decision. It formed an independent church. It was named Tiong Hoa Kie Tok Kauw Hwee Mangga Besar. The church did not have its own pastor. They made an agreement with Nederlandsche Zendings Vereeniging. NZV would help with pastoral duties. Reverend F W Hoppe became the spiritual leader. Pouw Peng Hong became the unordained pastor.
The church continued to seek unity. They worked through the Bond Kristen Tionghoa. However the Bond stopped its activities after a conference in 1928. Some leaders created Chung Hua Chi Tuh Chiao Hui. It continued the Bond’s goals.
In 1935 Gereja THKTKH Mangga Besar merged. It joined with THKTKH Tanah Abang. Khoe Lan Seng became the head of the combined church. In 1939 the church received recognition. The government recognized it as a legal entity. The church changed its name. It became Chung Hwa Chi Tuh Chiao Hui.
In 1940 Gereja CHCTCH Mangga Besar moved. It relocated to JI Ketapang No 9. This is now JI KH Zainul Arifin. In 1958 the name changed again. CHCTCH became Gereja Kristus.
Gereja Kristus Ketapang has a long history. It reflects dedication unity and faith. It began with small gatherings. It grew into a significant church in Indonesia. It stands as a testament. It honors the Lee Brothers and its founders. The Gereja Kristus Ketapang remains a beacon of faith. It serves Jakarta and beyond.