English Version of "Gereja Blenduk"

• Histori Of Blenduk church





Gereja Blenduk


One ofthe many point of interest in Semarang is the Old Township which was built during the Dutch Colonial era. At the time, the area was the center of commerce aside from the city center itself. the Old Township was built with specific Pseudo Barouque design conforming to 18th Century period which can be considered as an urban heritage and becomes a cultural asset nowdays.

Gereja blenduk stood out as the landmark of the Old Township amongst many other historical buildings because of its unique design, history and grandeur. It was originally built in 1753 and has undergone many transformations. At first, the church's design followed a javanese stage house or "Rumah Panggung Jawa" which lasts until 1787. During the seven following years the building was remodeled to the current design. from 1894-1895, HPA de wilde and W. Westmaas added two clock towers and the dome where the name "Blenduk" originated from. nowadays the building is used as a place of worships by GPIB Immanuel Semarang 

• Architectural Aspects

The Architect places the main hall in the center of the building's400 square meter octagonal shape and its four wings served as consistories. The dome was designed after the Church of St. Peter Basilica in Vatican City, Rome which was designed by Michelangelo (1585-1590 AD)or the Church of St. Paul by Sir, Christopher wren (1675-1710 AD). Several interisting designs incorporated into this building were among the unique characteristic that this church has such as :

Tangga Ulir

- Circular stairway made from wrought iron that leads to music room with Dutch inscription "Plettriji den Haag" which commonly assumed as the maker. unfortunately the manufacturing date was not inscribed too.

- Church pulpit which seems to stay afloat in the air, suspended by an octagonal steel rod.

Orgel Barok

- Organ which was made by P. Farwangler and hummer and these are only two of this kinds in indonesia, the second pipe organ was installed at GPIB Immanuel Jakarta.

- Church Bell which was manufactured by J. W. Stiegler in 1703, originally there were three of them, but the other two had gone missing.

- Church Decor with its antique candelabra, stained glass solid teak pews.