In this post, we take a closer look at another Catholic church in South Tangerang—Gereja Santa Maria Regina, the parish church of Bintaro Jaya. Nestled within the bustling Central Business District (CBD) of Bintaro Jaya Sektor 7, this church offers a peaceful sanctuary amid the dynamic rhythms of urban life. Located at Jl. MH Thamrin Kav. B2 No. 03, it enjoys a strategic position—just behind Hari-Hari Supermarket and right next to the entrance of the popular culinary strip of Taman Jajan CBD Bintaro. This lively area, filled with food stalls and coffee shops, adds to the vibrant community atmosphere that surrounds the church. My visit to Santa Maria Regina Parish revealed a beautiful blend of contemporary architecture and a deep sense of devotion, embodied in the welcoming presence of its parishioners and the spiritual calm found within its walls. Several areas of the church grounds, such as the Marian Grotto, were undergoing renovation during my visit. Despite this, the parish still offered plenty to see and experience.
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| This parish is located in the rapidly developing heart of Bintaro Jaya |
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Friendly and informative volunteers welcomed us at the Porta Sancta
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The Church of Santa Maria Regina was designed in a striking modernist architectural style by renowned Indonesian architect Yori Antar, in collaboration with the Church Building Committee (Tim Pembangunan Gereja). Before construction began, the selection of the church’s location underwent several revisions due to practical and administrative considerations. The final site—strategically situated in the heart of Bintaro Jaya's bustling Sector 7—was chosen for its accessibility to the growing Catholic population in the area. The construction of the four-storey church building commenced in 2006, with the structure designed to accommodate approximately 1,500 worshippers. Construction was completed in early 2009, and on January 17, 2009, the church was officially consecrated by Cardinal Julius Darmaatmadja, who was then the Archbishop of Jakarta. At the time of its consecration, the Church of Santa Maria Regina was still designated as a stasi (outstation) under the jurisdiction of the Bintaro Parish. However, due to the growth of its community and the increasing need for local pastoral care, it was officially elevated to the status of a full parish just over a year later. This milestone was achieved on August 22, 2010, when Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo, the current Archbishop of Jakarta, formally declared it an independent parish.
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| This wall panel depicts the opening Mass of the Porta Sancta in the church |
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| The Jubilee prayer and the entrance prayer for the Holy Door are provided here |
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The date August 22 is celebrated by the Roman Catholic Church as the Feast of Santa Maria Regina (Saint Mary the Queen). This celebration highlights Mary’s exalted role as Queen, not only of heaven but also of all creation, in her unique participation in the plan of salvation. The title Mary, Queen is rooted in Scripture and tradition, and was formally affirmed in Paragraph 59 of Lumen Gentium—the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church from the Second Vatican Council. This document, particularly Chapter VIII, titled “The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, in the Mystery of Christ and the Church,” reflects on Mary’s role in salvation history, emphasizing how she was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory and was crowned as Queen of the universe by her Son, Jesus Christ. After Vatican II and the reform of the liturgical calendar, the Church moved the feast to August 22, placing it exactly one week after the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary (August 15). This new placement underscores the close connection between Mary’s Assumption into heaven and her subsequent coronation as Queen.
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| On the road to Emmaus — a walk of doubt, discovery, and divine revelation |
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| The main hall of Bintaro Jaya Parish is a sacred space of prayer, and community |
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This parish turned out to be one of the most welcoming I’ve encountered so far in my 2025 Jubilee Year pilgrimage across churches. From the moment we arrived at the Church of Santa Maria Regina, we were greeted warmly by a dedicated team of parish volunteers who had clearly prepared for visiting pilgrims. One of the attendants took the time to explain the significance of the Jubilee Year 2025 and thoughtfully guided us through the key pilgrimage stops within the church compound. Each location, from the Porta Sancta (Holy Door) to the designated prayer points, was described with care and insight—helping us not only to navigate the church but also to engage more meaningfully with the spiritual experience. The parish even provided prayer guides to be recited before and after passing through the Porta Sancta, a detail that underscored their deep commitment to ensuring that every visitor—whether from nearby parishes or distant parts of the archdiocese—felt welcomed, informed, and spiritually nourished.
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| The anchor of faith stands firm symbolizing hope in Christ amid life’s storms |
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| A harmony of light and copper as the contemporary design blends warmth and reverence |
Among the many meaningful features within the Church of Santa Maria Regina, one that stands out is a beautiful copper diorama depicting the Journey to Emmaus, installed along the staircase leading up to the main hall. This artwork portrays the moment described in the Gospel of Luke, when the resurrected Jesus appears to two of His disciples as they are walking to the village of Emmaus. At first, they do not recognize Him, as their eyes are kept from seeing clearly who He is. It is only later, as He breaks bread with them, that they come to realize they have been walking with the risen Lord—a moment rich in theological meaning and Eucharistic symbolism. For those seeking quiet reflection, the Chapel of Saint John offers a more intimate space for personal prayer away from the larger communal area. As the Marian Grotto in front of the church is currently undergoing renovations, the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary has been relocated to the basement, allowing parishioners and visitors to continue their devotions. Unfortunately, due to a sudden and heavy rainfall during our visit, we were unable to explore the prayer garden and the outdoor Stations of the Cross as originally planned. Nevertheless, the welcoming spirit of the parish and the depth of the church’s sacred spaces left a lasting impression, making the visit spiritually enriching despite the weather.
Paroki Bintaro Jaya
Gereja Santa Maria Regina
Location Jalan MH Thamrin Kav B2 No 03, CBD Bintaro Jaya Sektor 7, South Tangerang, Banten
Weekly Mas Schedule
Saturday, 06.30 PM
Sunday, 06.00 AM, 08.30 PM, 04.30 PM
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