As mentioned in the previous post, Grogol Parish was established as a proliferation of the existing Kemakmuran Parish. Although geographically located in the Petojo area of Central Jakarta, Kemakmuran Parish is administratively part of the West Jakarta I Deanery of the Archdiocese of Jakarta. Like the parishes of Grogol and Kedoya, Kemakmuran Parish is actively ministered by priests from the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Latin: Missionarii Sacratissimi Cordis, MSC). In fact, the foundation of this parish traces back to the initiative of Fr. Anton Bröcker, MSC, who purchased a house on Chaulanweg Street (now Jalan KH Hasyim Ashari). In 1938, Petrus Johannes Willekens, S.J., then Apostolic Vicar of Batavia, formally entrusted the care of the church to the MSC congregation. At the time, the church was named Onze Lieve Vrouw van het Heilig Hart, or Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. Construction of the current church building only began decades later in 1964, and three years later, on July 30, 1967, the church was solemnly consecrated by Archbishop Adrianus Djajasepoetra, S.J.
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| The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart have been integral to Kemakmuran Parish’s story |
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| The church is located next to Tarsisius Catholic School in Petojo, Central Jakarta |
The name Our Lady of the Sacred Heart is deeply intertwined with the identity of the congregation that serves the parish. This Marian title was first introduced and promoted in the 19th century by Fr. Jules Chevalier, the founder of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC). In the midst of the spiritual and social upheaval following the French Revolution, Fr. Chevalier was firmly convinced that a renewed devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus—and, by extension, a loving devotion to Mary—could bring healing and hope to a fractured world. After establishing the MSC congregation in Issoudun, France in 1857, he chose the title Our Lady of the Sacred Heart to emphasize Mary’s profound and tender role in leading humanity closer to the heart of her Son. Unlike many Marian titles that highlight virtues or apparitions, this title focuses on Mary as the one who points to the Heart of Jesus—the source of divine love and mercy. Fr. Chevalier portrayed her not only as Mother, but also as a gentle intercessor, guiding the faithful into deeper communion with Christ. What the congregation could not have foreseen, however, was how the very spirit of this name would later find poignant resonance during one of Jakarta’s most difficult chapters—decades later, when the church would become a quiet symbol of hope amid unrest.
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| The Church of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart had already stood long before I was born |
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| In the unrest of the 1998 Ketapang Riot, the church was heavily damaged |
The year 1998 marked one of the darkest chapters in Indonesia’s recent history—particularly for those living in Jakarta. Following the resignation of President Soeharto, the country was plunged into political instability and economic despair due to the Asian Financial Crisis. Ethnic and religious tensions—long held in check during the New Order era—began to erupt to the surface. Just six months after the devastating May 1998 riots, which saw widespread violence against the ethnic Chinese community, another wave of unrest struck Central Jakarta. This event would later be known as the Ketapang Riot. It was sparked by a violent altercation between security staff of a discotheque—reportedly owned by Chinese Indonesians—and a group of local Muslim youths near the Ketapang area. What began as a localized brawl quickly escalated into a large-scale mob attack the following day. In the chaos that ensued, businesses, homes, and Christian churches—especially in the Ketapang and KH Hasyim Ashari areas—became targets. Kemakmuran Parish was among those attacked: pews and hymnals were set ablaze, and vehicles in the church compound were vandalized. Though the riots were brief, the emotional and material damage they left behind was profound. Yet, as with all trials, such moments also call forth a renewal of spirit. The same spirit of compassion, resilience, and faith that once inspired the founding of this parish under the protection of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart must now rise again—offering healing, unity, and hope to a city still in need of reconciliation.
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| Sacred images of the Holy Family: Mary and Joseph each holding the Infant Jesus |
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| Despite the 2018 renovation, heritage details like this Station of the Cross remain preserved |
After the Ketapang Riot incident, the Church of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart sustained significant damage, with some reports indicating that about 60% of the interior was affected, including the destruction of pews and other church furnishings. Nevertheless, despite the extensive damage, the church community demonstrated remarkable resilience. Following the riots, the church underwent repairs to restore its function and provide a comfortable space for worship. Although specific details of the initial restoration efforts were not widely publicized, recovery measures were taken to ensure that the church could once again serve its parish community. In 2018, a more extensive renovation was carried out, focusing on improvements to the columns, lighting, and ceiling. The project was led by the architectural firm SK+ architecture and design, with architect Leo Sumiko overseeing the design. This renovation aimed to update the church’s interior elements to better support liturgical functions and enhance the comfort of the congregation. A Marian Grotto named Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Grotto can be next to the main hall, and we can also find a sacred spot for St. Peregrine Laziosi which can be seen showing his one wounded leg, along with his impactful prayer. This saint is known as the patron of persons suffering from cancer, AIDS, and other life-threatening illnesses.
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| A Marian Grotto of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart stands beside the church |
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| A statue of St. Peregrine, the patron of those suffering from life-threatening illnesses |
My visit to the Church of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Kemakmuran was met with genuine warmth and hospitality. Perhaps noticing that I had come alone, one of the parishioners graciously offered to guide me around the church, pointing out its unique features and even accompanying me in reciting the Jubilee Year prayer. It was a simple act of kindness, yet deeply reflective of the spirit that resonates from this old parish—a spirit shaped by decades of faith, struggle, and resilience. From its modest beginnings to its survival of social unrest and its ongoing efforts to grow and renew, the story of this church is one of quiet perseverance. Despite the trials it has faced—be it political turmoil, violence, or the challenges of modern urban life—the parish continues to stand as a place of hope. Its faithful have not only preserved the sacred space but have embodied the love and strength symbolized by the Sacred Heart. In this ever-changing city, the church remains a steadfast witness to healing, hospitality, and the enduring power of faith.
Paroki Kemakmuran
Gereja Bunda Hati Kudus
Location Jalan Kyai Haji Hasyim Ashari No 28, Petojo Utara, Central Jakarta
Weekly Mass Schedule
Saturday, 05.00 PM
Sunday, 07.00 AM, 09.00 AM, 05.00 PM
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