One late afternoon, I had an appointment in the Puri Kembangan area of West Jakarta, and I decided to make a quick detour to visit a Catholic church in nearby Meruya. To keep the short trip simple and avoid the city’s notorious rush-hour traffic, I opted for an online motorcycle-hailing app, known for taking shortcuts through narrow alleyways. But during this time-saving alternative route, a combination of a rather steep ramp off the main road into a smaller lane, the driver’s miscalculation of his rather old motorcycle's power, and my not-so-light weight as a passenger, the engine stalled midway and we slid backward in a half-fall. My legs were scraped against the bike —the pants spared me from worse— and though I could weather the sting, the bruise on my calf lingered for several days after.
By the time I arrived at the church, the burning pain lingered, though I tried to set it aside and focus on the sole purpose of my visit. Thankfully, the church’s serene atmosphere—so deeply characteristic of the Carmelites who serve here—made it easier to do so. As I mentioned in my earlier post on Tomang Parish and the Church of Mary, Mother of Carmel (widely known as MBK Church), this Meruya Parish is another community in the Archdiocese of Jakarta served by Carmelite priests. Officially named the Church of Mary, Flower of Carmel (or locally Gereja Maria Kusuma Karmel, fondly called MKK), it shares the same devotion as MBK: honoring Our Lady of Mount Carmel, a venerated title of The Blessed Virgin Mary with deep roots in the Carmelite Order.
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| Meruya Parish is established as the second Carmelite parish in Jakarta after Tomang |
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| The MKK Church stands as a true reflection of Carmelite spirituality, rooted in contemplation and simplicity |
Originally known in Latin as Ordo Fratrum Beatissimæ Virginis Mariæ de Monte Carmelo or the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel (OCarm), the Carmelites trace their roots back to the late 12th century, founded by early hermits on Mount Carmel in northern Israel. Today, with more than 2,000 members worldwide, the Carmelites are widely recognized for their teaching, spiritual direction, missionary service, and pastoral care. In Indonesia, the Carmelites began their mission in the early 1900s, when the first priests were sent to serve in Malang, East Java. From this city, their mission gradually expanded to other regions of the country, including Jakarta. For me, this story carries a personal resonance, as Malang is not only the city where the Carmelites first arrived, but also my own hometown—and the place where I attended a Catholic high school run by the Carmelite priests.
The history of MKK Church cannot be separated from that of MBK, as this parish was established as a direct outgrowth of the earlier Carmelite parish in Tomang. By the mid-1980s, Tomang Parish had grown into the largest parish in the archdiocese, with more than 14,000 worshippers. To better serve this expanding community, plans were drawn up to create a new parish and construct a new church. Over the following years, these plans took shape—beginning with the formation of a church committee, the acquisition of land at the present site, and culminating in the official establishment of the new parish in 1992. Construction of the MKK Church began the following year, and on 2 April 1995 it was completed and consecrated by Archbishop Leo Soekoto, SJ. Since then, this relatively young parish has quickly grown into one of the most significant Carmelite presences in West Jakarta.
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| The soft, natural lighting of MKK Church radiates a serene calmness unlike any other church I’ve visited |
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| The church underwent improvement projects which were completed in 2022 |
Starting in 2019, the church underwent a renovation project to expand its capacity, improve the interior, replace the lighting and air conditioning, and reorganize the parish complex. However, during the renovation, an incident occurred on a Sunday morning when part of the ceiling collapsed just as Mass had begun, injuring several parishioners. The accident was believed to have been caused by heavy rain that had soaked through the ceiling while the roof was being replaced. The renovation was finally completed in 2022, and today the church presents a serene and inviting atmosphere. The spacious interior, with its warm wooden panels and soft natural light above the altar, immediately draws the heart to prayer.
The entire structure is designed with deep symbolism: its overall form resembles a tent, recalling the ‘tent of meeting’ where God dwelled among His people. At the same time, its shape also echoes the shape of Mount Carmel, a reminder of the Carmelite heritage of this parish. Inside, the semicircular layout of the pews reflects the Last Supper, with Christ at the center surrounded by His disciples—a vision re-presented in every Eucharist as the priest takes his place among the faithful. Together, these elements create not just a functional space, but a sacred dwelling where the community gathers around the Lord in peace.
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| Taman Doa Maria Kusuma Karmel, a peaceful garden of prayer within the parish complex |
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| Statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, a reminder of the parish’s devotion to Mary as the Flower of Carmel |
After the renovation project, the parish also improved its outdoor spaces, resulting in the creation of Taman Doa Maria Kusuma Karmel. This prayer garden, located within the church compound, provides a calm and refreshing environment for parishioners and visitors alike. At the heart of the garden stands a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, a reminder of the parish’s Carmelite identity and spirituality. Surrounded by lush greenery, shaded walkways, and a reflective pool, the garden is designed to invite quiet prayer, meditation, or simply a moment of peace away from the bustle of city life.
The blend of modern architecture with natural elements reflects the Carmelite emphasis on contemplation, simplicity, and closeness to God through silence and nature. Today, Taman Doa Maria Kusuma Karmel is not only a devotional space but also a welcoming spot for community gatherings, novenas, and Marian devotions. It stands as an extension of the church’s mission: nurturing both communal worship inside the sanctuary and personal prayer in serene surroundings.
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| A serene replica of Michelangelo’s Pietà invites us to contemplate Mary’s sorrow and Christ’s sacrifice |
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| The Adoration Chapel, dedicated to St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, offers a quiet space for prayer |
In the end, the serene atmosphere of Maria Kusuma Karmel Parish is inseparable from its Carmelite roots. The very name Maria Kusuma Karmel refers to Mary as the Flower of Carmel, a title deeply cherished by the Carmelite family worldwide. Among the order’s most beloved hymns is Flos Carmeli, traditionally sung as a prayer to the Virgin Mary, the “Mother and Beauty of Carmel” (Mater et Décor Carmeli). This hymn, which has accompanied Carmelites for centuries, is also embraced by the faithful of MKK, uniting the parish community with the wider Carmelite tradition:
Flos Carmeli, vitis florigera, splendor caeli, virgo puerpera, singularis.
Mater mitis, sed viri nescia, Carmelitis esto propitia. Stella maris.
Translation (English):
Flower of Carmel, blossoming vine,
Splendor of heaven, Virgin bearing child, incomparable.
Gentle Mother, untouched by man,
Be ever gracious to Carmel’s children, Star of the Sea.
Through this hymn and devotion, the parishioners of Maria Kusuma Karmel continue to draw strength and inspiration from Mary, the gentle Mother and guiding Star of the Sea, who leads them closer to Christ. The parish thus stands not only as a place of worship and community, but also as a living witness to Carmelite spirituality — a spirituality of contemplation, simplicity, and deep trust in the intercession of the Blessed Virgin.
Paroki Meruya
Gereja Maria Kusuma Karmel
Location Jl. Kusuma No 1, South Meruya, Kembangan, West Jakarta
Weekly Mass Schedule
Saturday, 04.30 PM
Sunday, 06.00 AM, 08.30 AM, 11.00 AM, 04.30 PM
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