Santo Yusuf Church in Bintaran

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A. Overview

Bintaran district, which is formerly a Dutch residence (indische) like Kotabaru, has a church namely Santo Yusuf Church. The church was built circa 1933 – 1934 and inaugurated on Sunday, 8 April 1934, the same day as its first Eucharist that amassed about 1800 indigenous Catholics. At the time, the number of Catholics in Yogyakarta was increasing and becoming too much for Kidul Loji Church to accommodate. St. Yusuf Church was inaugurated by Mgr. A. Th. Van Hoof S.J., Apostolic Vicar, with the accompaniment of Rm. Van Kalken S.J., Chief of Jesuit Mission in Java, and Rm G. Riestra S.J., Head of Yogyakarta Priests.

The building of St. Yusuf Church was designed by a Dutchman called J.H. van Oijen B.N.A. and the construction was handled by Hollandsche Beton Maatschappij. Based on the record, the interior of the church is 36 meters long and 20 meter wide. At the center, it is 13 meter high.

The first priest of Bintaran parish was Rama A. de Kuijper S.J., assisted by Rama A. Soegijapranata S.J. The church complex, which is 5,024 meter square, is known to be the first Javanese Church in Yogyakarta.

The most recent renovation began in 2007 and was completed in October 2010. Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X inaugurated the renovated building on 17 October 2010.

B. Features

Santo Yusuf Church has some uniqueness. One, it lies on its status as the first Javanese Church—not that the architecture is Javanese, but the fact that it is appropriated for Javanese or indigenous Catholics. Two, the architecture is unique, in a way that it has a twin church in the Netherlands. It is likely that there are only these two churches in the world with the architectural design. Three, the church has been protected by the Indonesian government as regulated by the Minister of Culture and Tourism with a decree No. PM.25/PW.007/MKP/2007 that establishes the church as a state-protected cultural heritage. Four, in contrast to many other historical remains and cultural reservation that have been broken up or had their functions and forms changed, the church is still in good condition and well taken care of.

As recorded, from July 1935 to June 1936 Santo Yusuf Church had as many as 4,695 members, of which only 26 were Europeans. This figures show that the church was—and still is—especially intended for the Javanese Catholics. In the 12 month period, 233 adults and 177 children were baptized. In its first years of service, the church saw 100 Catholic weddings and 32 weddings with dispensation (interreligious, usually Catholic-Christian or Catholic-Islam).

C. Location

Santo Yusuf Catholic Church is situated in Bintaran, precisely on Bintaran Kidul Street No. 5, Yogyakarta 55151.

D. Access

Santo Yusuf Church lies at the location which is accessible, being downtown. It can be reached from Sultan Agung Street. From there, you turn south at the Permata Theater intersection and ahead for about 200 meter. You can go straight to the church if you take vehicles. If not, you can go by bus and get off at the side of Sultan Agung Street, then just walk south to the church.

E. Ticket

To visit Santo Yusuf Church, you will not be charged for entrance. Catholics may join the daily mass or Saturday/Sunday mass. To know more about the church, you could go to the parish secretariat and see the abbot or the custodian on duty.

F. Accommodation and Other Facilities

Santo Yusuf Church is situated in an area formerly Dutch residence, in which usually stand buildings with old, interesting designs. The church is certainly one of those buildings. Inside, there are altar and benches for congregation. There is a building at the south of the church, which is a hall, parish office, and place for other religious activities. The statue of Santo Yusuf stands in the yard, in the same location with the parking lot.

Eucharist mass is held every day at 05.30 WIST, Saturday afternoon at 16.30 WIST, and Sunday at 05.30, 07.30, 16.30 WIST, and of course on the holidays.

Text: Eko Wahyu
Translation: Reza Daffi
Photo(s): Collection of Jogjatrip.com
(Primary data and various sources)

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