As one of the most important dogmas in Christianity, the Trinity stands at the very heart of the Catholic faith. Christians believe that God exists as three Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—but not as three separate gods. Rather, He is one God in three equally divine and eternal Persons. This truth forms both the central foundation and the profound mystery of Christian belief (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 234 on the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity). In Catholic life, this mystery is most tangibly expressed in the signum crucis (the sign of the cross), when we trace the cross upon ourselves and invoke the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. This simple yet powerful gesture becomes a sacramental sign that reminds the faithful of God’s presence, marks our prayers, and sanctifies the rhythms of daily life. With this central mystery as its foundation, the story of Trinity Church in Cengkareng Parish unfolds not merely as the history of a local Catholic community, but as a living witness to how faith in the Triune God takes root and flourishes in a specific place and time.
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| A cascade of triangular rooftops echoes the mystery of the Holy Trinity in Cengkareng Parish |
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| The pastoral journey of the parish has always been guided by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate |
Cengkareng Parish began as a small outstation (stasi) of Grogol Parish in West Jakarta before being transferred to the pastoral administration of Tangerang Parish in 1971. By 1974, the missionaries of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) began serving the Cengkareng stasi, three years after their arrival in Indonesia from Australia. Having first ministered in parishes across Central Java, the OMI priests were later entrusted with the pastoral care of Cengkareng and guided the community toward becoming a full parish. That status was formally granted in 1978, marking a new chapter in the parish’s history. At that time, the Trinity was chosen as the patron of the newly established parish, placing the community under the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity—the foundation of Christian faith. The name “Trinity” was selected from among several alternatives, including “Saint Anthony” and “Mary Immaculate.” The latter would later become the patron of Kalideres Parish, which was eventually established out of Cengkareng Parish—a story we explored in our previous post.
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| The central aisle leads to a sanctuary where faith and symmetry meet beneath a triangular ceiling |
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| The historic crucifix, shaped like a ferula, was used in Pope John Paul II’s 1989 visit |
Despite having attained full parish status, the journey to build a new church in the area was not without obstacles. For several years, in the absence of a permanent place of worship, regular Eucharistic services were held in various locations—including parishioners’ homes, Catholic schools, and small chapels. The necessary initial permit to construct the church were eventually granted by the provincial government in 1987, followed by an additional permit in 1989 to begin building a new structure. These approvals paved the way for the long-awaited construction project to finally begin. After a year of construction, Trinity Church was completed in 1990 and consecrated by Leo Sukoto, S.J., then Archbishop of Jakarta. In the years that followed, several supporting structures were added, including activity rooms and a multipurpose hall. The hall was named after Saint Eugenius de Mazenod, founder of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI), whose priests have faithfully served the parish from its earliest days to the present. This church has also undergone a number of renovation projects in 2002 and between 2012 and 2014, primarily to increase its capacity and better accommodate the growing number of parishioners in the area. These efforts reflect the parish’s commitment to nurturing a vibrant and welcoming space for worship, community, and spiritual growth.
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| A vibrant stained glass window crowns the entrance in honor of the Holy Trinity |
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| The Pietà stands at the entrance, inviting parishioners into the mystery of compassion and sacrifice |
Before entering the church, one cannot help but notice the striking presence of triangular motifs woven throughout its architecture. The tent-like roof is formed by three layered triangles—a direct representation of the Holy Trinity, the very name and spiritual foundation of this church. Here in Cengkareng Parish, this sacred geometry is not merely decorative; it becomes a visual catechism, inviting the faithful to contemplate the central mystery of their faith even before stepping through the doors. Above the main entrance of Trinity Church, a striking triangular stained glass window commands attention with its vibrant colors and sacred imagery, symbolizing the holiness and majesty of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Inside Trinity Church, architecture and devotion converge in a space that reflects both simplicity and reverence. Designed to foster a sense of sacred presence and communal worship, the interior continues the triangular theme—from the shape of the building itself to the hanging lamps suspended above the pews—quietly echoing the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity.
Meanwhile, the triangular rhythm of the ceiling draws the eye forward, cascading toward the sanctuary’s focal point: a large crucifix that commands both attention and reverence. Shaped like a papal ferula—the staff traditionally carried by the Pope—this crucifix holds historical significance. It was used during the grand Eucharistic celebration at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium during Pope John Paul II’s papal visit to Indonesia in 1989. Crafted in Ubud, Bali—a region renowned for its masterful artistry and spiritual craftsmanship—the crucifix embodies both national pride and devotional beauty. Now enshrined within Trinity Church, it stands as a powerful symbol of continuity, linking the local parish to a moment of profound national and spiritual importance.
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| The Marian Grotto is located at the back of the church, under the shades of this Banyan tree |
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| The Marian grotto honors Immaculate Mary and the enduring service of the OMI priests |
Stepping around to the back of the church, one encounters a serene and sacred space: the Marian grotto of Immaculate Mary. Nestled beneath the sweeping canopy of a large banyan tree, the grotto offers a quiet place for prayer and reflection. The statue of Immaculate Mary, portrayed in a style similar to the one on the main staircase of Kalideres Parish (as explored in our previous post), continues the visual language of devotion familiar to many parishioners. Surrounded by floral offerings and framed by nature’s embrace, this grotto stands as a living symbol of the parish’s Marian devotion and the enduring pastoral service of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI), whose presence has shaped the spiritual life of Cengkareng Parish from the beginning.
Trinity Church stands today not only as a place of worship, but as a home for generations of faith, service, and community. Whether one enters through its doors for Sunday Mass, pauses at the Marian grotto for quiet prayer, or simply admires the artistry that surrounds it, the church offers a space where the divine feels near. For those who seek beauty, history, or a moment of peace, Trinity Church in Cengkareng welcomes all with open arms and a sacred story waiting to be shared.
Paroki Cengkareng
Gereja Trinitas
Location Jl Utama III No 23, Cengkareng, West Jakarta, Jakarta
Weekly Mass Schedule
Saturday, 05.00 PM
Sunday, 06.30 AM, 09.00 AM, 05.00 PM
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