Imagine a time when Catholics had to walk miles to worship. Gereja Santa Theresia stands here today because of their dedication. Let’s explore its history.
Gereja Santa Theresia is more than just a building. It is a testament to faith and community. The story begins in the 1930s.
Jakarta was expanding and the Menteng area was growing. Catholics living here had a long walk to Jakarta Cathedral for Mass. This prompted church leaders to find land closer to home.
They chose a site on Jalan Soendaweg now Jalan Gereja Theresia. Architect J. Th. van Oyen was tasked with designing the new church. He was from the Netherlands.
The design was unique. It had no supporting pillars in the middle. This allowed everyone to see the altar. Gereja Santa Theresia was built in a European style. Construction finished in 1934.
Pastor Antonius Theodorus van Hoof, S.J. dedicated the church. He celebrated the first Mass. Gereja Santa Theresia became the third church in Batavia. The others were Jakarta Cathedral and Gereja Santo Yoseph Matraman.
In 1936, the Pengurus Gereja dan Dana Papa Santa Theresia was founded. It marked the establishment of Paroki Santa Theresia as an independent community. Father F. Fleerakkers, S.J. became the first pastor. He served until 1943.
Gereja Santa Theresia later expanded. They built Gereja Santo Ignatius Loyola on Jalan Malang in 1946. A chapel was also built in Cideng. It became known as Gereja Maria Bunda Perantara.
The building resembles houses in Menteng from that era. It features pointed shapes especially in its towers. Gereja Santa Theresia rests on 63 concrete pillars. Each pillar is buried 17 meters deep. This provides a strong foundation.
The church has three doors. Each door has a large window. The main door’s window depicts Santa Theresia. The side doors feature windows of Bunda Maria and Serikat Yesus. Behind the altar are 13 smaller windows. The central window shows Jesus. The others represent the twelve apostles. This gives Gereja Santa Theresia a European feel.
The church complex includes several facilities. There is a Gua Maria dedicated to Bunda Maria Ratu Para Rasul. It was dedicated in 1988. Gereja Santa Theresia also has an adoration room. It is located on the ground floor of the Gedung Karya Pastoral.
Daily Masses are held in the morning and evening. The church also holds services in English. This is under the Paroki Internasional Santo Petrus Kanisius. It is for expatriates.
Next to the church stands Sekolah Katolik Santa Theresia. Nearby is also Sekolah Santo Bellarminus Jakarta. This makes the area around the church lively every day.
Take a moment to appreciate Gereja Santa Theresia. It represents faith, community and architectural beauty. Its history echoes through the streets of Menteng. It is a place where tradition and devotion meet.