Before I made Saint Matthias the Apostle Church in West Jakarta my home parish, the first church I attended in Jakarta was Mary, Mother of Carmel Church—Gereja Maria Bunda Karmel, or MBK for short. Although also located in West Jakarta, MBK is situated slightly closer to the city center, even though both churches belong to the same deanery: West Jakarta II. MBK is one of only two churches in Jakarta actively ministered by the Carmelite Order. The other is Mary, Flower of Carmel Church—Gereja Maria Kusuma Karmel or MKK—in Meruya Parish. The Carmelites also maintain a residence at Wisma Karmel on Jalan Tosiga, Kebon Jeruk, which houses the Carmelite Center Jakarta, a hub for spiritual formation, retreats, and theological education. Interestingly, my connection with the Carmelite tradition goes back to my high school years—I studied at St. Albert Catholic Senior High School in Malang, which is also administered by the Carmelites. When I first moved to Jakarta, I used to attend Mass at MBK. Although I no longer go there regularly, attending MBK during my early days in the city gave me a comforting sense of continuity with the Carmelite spirit I had known from my school years.
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| This Mary Mother of Carmel Church is the first church I attend in Jakarta |
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The church is located next to Sang Timur school complex in Kebon Jeruk
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Tomang Parish was a new parish created from Grogol Parish, as a result of discussion in 1970 between the Archdiocese of Jakarta and the Order of Carmelite to initiate a new parish which would be administer by the order. The church was designed by the renowned Indonesian architect Han Awal, a key figure in modern Indonesian architecture. He was known for his iconic works that combined local cultural values with a modernist approach. In the MBK church project, Han Awal collaborated with Vincent Winarko as the executing architect. Construction of the church began with the laying of the cornerstone on October 21, 1979, and the church was officially blessed and inaugurated on September 14, 1980, by the Archbishop of Jakarta at the time, Mgr. Leo Soekoto, S.J., along with Jakarta Governor Tjokropranolo. The architectural design of MBK reflects the deep Carmelite spirit, with symbolic elements that reinforce the church’s spiritual identity. For example, the building’s tent-like shape symbolizes God's presence among His people, while the semicircular interior represents the Last Supper of Jesus with His disciples.
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It is shaped like a tent — echoing the sacred space where God met His people
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Tomang Parish is one of two parishes in Jakarta ministered by Carmelite Order
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The parish envisions a resilient Church community, where every member plays an active role in building and nurturing Basic Ecclesial Communities, especially within neighborhood groups. Initially, services were held in a modest temporary structure affectionately dubbed the "Bethlehem Church" by parishioners, symbolizing a humble yet profound beginning, much like the birthplace of Jesus. This early phase laid the foundation for what would become a vibrant and expansive parish community. The parish experienced significant growth over the years. By 1993, the congregation had expanded to approximately 15,000 members. In 1994, to better serve the faithful, MBK facilitated the establishment of a new parish in Meruya. Despite this division, MBK continued to flourish, with its community actively engaging in various spiritual and social initiatives. A significant renovation project was initiated in 2003 and completed in December 2004. This included updates to the church building, the presbytery, and the parish office. This project was consulted by Vincent Winarko. Additionally in 2009, a new auditorium featuring a chapel dedicated to St. Thérèse of Lisieux and an adoration room was constructed. Further improvements were made later, such as renovating restrooms and replacing pews with ones featuring foldable kneelers, funded by parishioner contributions.
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| The architecture blends modernism with the contemplative beauty of Carmelite tradition |
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| Under her mantle we find peace — Our Lady Mary, Mother of Carmel |
Stasi Taman Anggrek, officially known as Stasi St. Fransiskus Asisi, is a vibrant extension of the parish. Situated within the bustling Mall Taman Anggrek, this stasi serves as a spiritual haven for Catholics residing in the surrounding apartment complexes and urban neighborhoods. The inception of Stasi Taman Anggrek dates back to the mid-2000s, responding to the unique pastoral needs of Catholics living in high-rise apartments—a growing trend in Jakarta's urban landscape. Recognizing the challenges of communal worship in such settings, a group of dedicated parishioners initiated small prayer gatherings within their apartment units. These intimate meetings gradually evolved into regular liturgical services, marking the humble beginnings of the stasi. In a significant development, starting October 29, 2024, all religious activities and facilities previously associated with Stasi Taman Anggrek have been transitioned to the newly designated Kapel Maria Bintang Laut when was inaugurated by Archbishop Ignatius Cardinal Suharyo. To support its growing parish community, MBK has also launched a mobile application, making it easier for parishioners to access Mass schedules, announcements, and community updates right from their smartphones.
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Completed in 1980, MBK continues to evolve while staying rooted in Carmelite spirit
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The church has since given rise to MKK Church and the Taman Anggrek Stasi
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As one of the two Carmelite-administered parishes in Jakarta, Tomang Parish continues to shine as a spiritual home rooted in contemplative tradition and active service. With its growing reach—now extending to places like Kapel Maria Bintang Laut in Taman Anggrek—the parish embraces the evolving urban landscape while staying faithful to its mission. Whether through solemn liturgies, community formation, or the quiet beauty of its chapels, MBK offers a place of peace and prayer in the heart of the city. For me, the connection to this parish feels especially meaningful, having been educated in a Carmelite school, making this encounter in Jakarta feel like a continuation of a spiritual thread that began long ago in Malang. For many, it stands not only as a church, but as a spiritual anchor amid the rush of metropolitan life.
Paroki Tomang
Gereja Maria Bunda Karmel
Location Jalan Karmel Raya 2, Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta
Weekly Mass Schedule
Saturday, 04.30 PM, 07.00 PM
Sunday, 06.30 AM, 09.00 AM, 11.30 AM, 04.30 PM, 07.00 PM
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