As mentioned in the previous post, the Pejompongan Parish once shared pastoral service with the Kristus Salvator (Christ the Saviour) Church in Slipi Parish. Both parishes were not only administered by priests of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Latin: Congregatio Immaculati Cordis Mariae, CICM) but were also entrusted to their pastoral care from the moment they were first established as parishes. While Slipi Parish continues to be served by CICM priests to this day, Pejompongan Parish has been under the pastoral care of diocesan priests from the Archdiocese of Jakarta since 2004. Yet the history of the parish remains inseparable from the congregation that helped establish and nurture it from the very beginning.
Similar to Slipi Parish, the journey of Pejompongan Parish began with modest gatherings of local Catholic community in this area east of Slipi, dating back to the early 1960s. This community emerged alongside the development of residential housing for civil servants working in nearby government offices and ministries. In its early days as part of Menteng Parish, and without a church to call its own, the Pejompongan Catholic community gathered in humble spaces, within parishioner homes and the welcoming hall of Dr. Mintohardjo’s Naval Hospital. A few years later in 1964, a plot of land was acquired to build a new church in the area. By 1967, the first Masses were held in the newly built church. A year later, Pejompongan was officially granted full parish status by the Archdiocese of Jakarta.
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| An oasis beneath the leaves in this modern and artistic Kristus Raja Church in Pejompongan |
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| For the 2025 Jubilee Year, the Porta Sancta is made of rattan that combines crafts and nature |
At the time, the newly built church served both the Catholic communities in Pejompongan and Slipi. Initially, the parish was named Kristus Salvator (Christ the Saviour). However, when the two communities were formally separated in 1972, the name Kristus Salvator was retained by the Slipi Parish, while Pejompongan Parish adopted the name Kristus Raja (Christ the King), a title that reflects both its spiritual identity and its distinct path within the Archdiocese of Jakarta. As written in 1 Timothy 6:15, “He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,” this name affirms the parish’s devotion to Christ’s eternal kingship. This devotion is further echoed in the Church’s liturgical calendar through the Festum Domini nostri Jesu Christi Regis ("Feast of Christ the King"), instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925 to reaffirm Christ’s sovereignty in a secularizing world. Later, in 1969, Pope Paul VI amended the title of the feast to Domini Nostri Iesu Christi Universorum Regis (“Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe”) and moved its celebration to the final Sunday of the liturgical year—symbolically placing Christ’s reign at the culmination of time.
The Christ the King Church building constructed in Pejompongan at the time often experienced flooding due to its proximity to a drainage channel that led to the Krukut River. To make matters worse, the original structure and interior of the church were largely made of wood, which proved vulnerable to the recurring damp conditions. By 2008, as the wooden church continued to deteriorate, a plan to rebuild was initiated to ensure the safety and longevity of the parish’s sacred space. The construction project for the new church began in December 2010 and was completed two years later. During this period, regular Masses were graciously hosted at the nearby Protestant church, GPIB Anugerah—a touching testament to interreligious solidarity and faith in action.
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| Founded under the care of CICM missionaries, the parish now is served by diocesan priests |
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| The church is fondly known as "Leaf Church" due to its architectural design |
This display of solidarity and interreligious collaboration was not only lived out in the shared worship spaces, but it was also found in the design and construction of the new church building and its interior. Today, the church is fondly known as “Gereja Daun”, or literally “Leaf Church,” due to the shape of its roof, which resembles green leaves gently covering the sanctuary. Designed by Sindhu Hadiprana, this floral theme is echoed throughout the building—from the metal doors shaped like palm leaves to the patterned ceramic floor designed by F.X. Widayanto. Above, the roof is supported by a network of angled beams arranged in a geometric pattern reminiscent of a beehive. This structure not only ensures stability but also brings a sense of harmony, subtly reflecting the spirit of a close-knit community gathered under one canopy of faith.
A group of designers and local artists from diverse religious backgrounds contributed to the interior of the church, working together in a spirit of unity and shared creativity. The design was intentionally planned to remain faithful to the wooden theme of the original church, honoring its legacy while embracing a renewed architectural vision. At the heart of the sanctuary stands a striking crucifix, sculpted from a single piece of solid teak wood measuring eight meters tall. This masterpiece was created by I Wayan Winten, a renowned Hindu sculptor from Ubud, Bali, whose works often draw from Balinese and Hindu traditions. The statues of Jesus and Mary flanking the sanctuary were also sculpted in the same distinctive style.
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| This crucifix was carved from a single teak tree by a renowned Balinese sculptor |
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| At the back of the balcony, this sculpted relief speaks of embrace and ascent |
Meanwhile, Yani Mariani Sastranegara, a Muslim artist, designed the tabernacle and baptismal font, among other interior elements. The foot of the altar and the wooden pews were crafted by Gunawan, a Buddhist designer whose work added warmth and texture to the worship space. Above the balcony at the back of the church, there is a striking bronze relief, depicting Christ the King in glory, arms outstretched in a gesture of welcome and redemption.
This profound act of interfaith collaboration, where artistic excellence transcends religious boundaries, reflects the spirit of unity that defines Kristus Raja Church. Each contribution—Christian, Muslim, Hindu, or Buddhist—became part of a shared sacred vision, woven together not by uniformity of belief, but by mutual respect and a common desire to honor the divine. The result is a sanctuary that embodies both architectural beauty and spiritual harmony, a living testament to inclusivity, reverence, and the creative power of community.
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| The bronze statue of the Virgin Mary is gently surrounded by water to symbolize purity and grace |
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From tablecloth pattern to the metalwork of staircase gates, the leaf motif emerges as a recurring design element
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Kristus Raja Church stands not only as a place of worship, but as a living testament to unity, creativity, and shared reverence. From its leaf-shaped roof and beehive-like beams to the collaborative artistry of Catholic, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist contributors, every element speaks of harmony beyond boundaries. In its elevated sanctuary and grounded Marian grotto, the church embodies both protection and presence. It is a sacred space where faith meets art form, and where community is involved in every aspect.
Paroki Pejompongan
Gereja Kristus Raja
Location Jalan Danau Toba No 56, Bendungan Hilir, Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, Indonesia
Weekly Mass Schedule
Saturday, 05.30 PM
Sunday, 07.00 AM, 09.00 AM, 11.30 AM* (Mass in English)
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