[EN] Saint Matthias The Apostle Church, My Home Parish

The year 2025 marks a Jubilee Year for the Roman Catholic Church — a sacred time celebrated every 25 years to invite the faithful into deeper experience of forgiveness, reconciliation and spiritual renewal. The jubilee is a call for Catholics around the world to rediscover hope and to strengthen their relationships with God, the Church, and each other. The late Pope Francis inaugurated this Holy Year by opening the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Eve 2024. This symbolic gesture ushers in a season of grace, and the theme chosen for this Jubilee, “Pilgrims of Hope,” reflects the Church’s desire to inspire a journey—not just one of physical pilgrimage, but of the heart and soul. Pilgrims are encouraged to visit the four Holy Doors located in the Vatican and across Rome. Fortunately for those who have not had the opportunity to visit the Vatican, many local bishops in other parts of the world designate their cathedrals, churches or sacred places as local sites for Holy Year pilgrims. This year, The Archdiocese of Jakarta launches 68 Porta Sancta (Holy Doors) in each of the local parishes from the nine Deaneries in the nation’s capital. Local pilgrims are urged to visit at least nine churches from the nine deaneries, including one in their own parish. For me, this journey begins not in a distant land, but right at home — in the familiar church where my own faith has deepened over past few years. 

My 2025 Jubilee Year journey started here at my home parish

Saint Matthias The Apostle Church is a part of West Jakarta II Deanery

So, I started the Jubilee 2025 pilgrimage in this church closest to home — where I would go to my weekly masses, my home parish of Kosambi Baru in West Jakarta, the Church of Saint Matthias the Apostle. The church is located in Kosambi Baru residential complex in Cengkareng, West Jakarta. For those arriving by car, especially from out of town, you can reach the church from the Karang Tengah Exit of the Jakarta-Tangerang Toll Road, making it highly accessible from both Jakarta and the neighboring Banten province. In fact, it is just about a 5-minute drive from the Green Lake City and Metland Puri residential areas. For those without private vehicles, one of the most practical routes is to take a Transjakarta bus to Kalideres Terminal, a major hub in West Jakarta. From there, travelers can easily continue their journey to the church via online ride-hailing services, such as GoRide or Grab, which are readily available and convenient. Another option is for commuters using the KRL Commuter Line—they can disembark at Kalideres Station, and also complete their trip using the same ride-hailing services.

Saint Matthias is the only Apostle not appointed personally by Jesus

This smaller chapel can be found just behind the main hall

The church was a recent proliferation to the west of the pre-existing Saint Thomas Apostle Church in Bojong Indah Parish. Although early preparation for the establishment of the new church already started in September 1990, the construction of this church only began in 2006 before it was finally completed in 2008 and consecrated by then Cardinal Julius Darmaatmadja, the Archbishop of Jakarta. The church was designed by Lily Kartomo and it can accommodate up to 1,800 people. Upon entering the church grounds, visitors are greeted by a statue of Saint Matthias the Apostle, the church’s patron. The statue depicts him holding an axe, a traditional attribute in Christian iconography symbolizing the manner of his martyrdom. Saint Matthias, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, is known as the apostle who was chosen by God through the remaining Apostles to take the place of Judas Iscariot, after the latter's betrayal of Jesus. Behind the main hall of the church, visitors can find The Chapel of John Paul II for more intimate gatherings, an Adoration Room for quiet reflection before the Blessed Sacrament, and a Marian Grotto, a peaceful outdoor shrine dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. This grotto, adoration room and also a sacrarium were consecrated on December 11, 2022. Additionally, a multipurpose hall (Mary Queen of the Rosary Building) and several smaller meeting rooms are also available for various activities by various communities within the parish. 

And next to the chapel we can find this beautiful and modern Marian Grotto

Each station in this series represents Jesus’s path to death and resurrection

Tucked behind the main building of St. Matthias the Apostle Church, lies a sacred space rich with both spiritual and historical meaning: the Way of the Cross Garden. More than a place for prayer and reflection, this garden marks a significant moment in the history of the Catholic Church in Indonesia. On November 9, 2014, this garden was blessed and inaugurated during a special concelebrated Mass attended by all the bishops of Indonesia. This remarkable occasion took place in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Indonesian Bishops' Conference (KWI), hosted that year by Kosambi Baru Parish. Several archbishops were among the concelebrants, including: Archbishop Ignatius Suharyo – Archbishop of Jakarta (main celebrant and host), Archbishop Johannes Pujasumarta – Archbishop of Semarang, Archbishop Anicetus B. Sinaga, OFM Cap – Archbishop of Medan, Archbishop Nicolaus Adi Seputra, MSC – Archbishop of Merauke and Archbishop Aloysius Sudarso, SCJ – Archbishop of Palembang. Their united presence and blessing made this garden not just a place for private devotion, but a symbol of the unity of the Catholic Church in Indonesia. What sets this Way of the Cross apart is the presence of a 15th station, rather than the traditional 14. This final station commemorates the Resurrection of Jesus, marking the fulfillment and triumph of His Passion. Each station in this garden is not only marked with traditional imagery but is enhanced with creative elements like the shape of nails as totem poles and surrounded with crown of thorns depicted on the ground, emphasizing artistic expression and deeper reflection.

A number of supporting buildings are located around the church complex

The sacrarium is used to dispose the church’s sacred materials

I have been attending this church for the past few years, and I always find the church and the congregation to be an active and dynamic community. Visiting Saint Matthias the Apostle Church as the first step on my Jubilee pilgrimage has reminded me how sacred spaces close to home can still hold profound meaning. It also holds special personal significance as I received both my baptism and confirmation sacraments here. This church has been both a spiritual anchor and a starting point for deeper reflection as I continue this journey across other parishes in Jakarta. I hope to share not just architectural beauty, but stories of faith, community, and grace that resonate beyond their walls. Stay tuned as I explore more pilgrimage sites throughout this Holy Year.

Paroki Kosambi Baru

Gereja Santo Matias Rasul

Location Taman Kosambi Barat Blok A ext 1 No 120, Perumahan Kosambi Baru, West Jakarta

Weekly Mass Schedule

Saturday, 05.00 PM

Sunday, 06.30 AM, 09.00 AM, 05.00 PM

Website https://parokikosambibaru.or.id/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/paroki.kosambibaru