35 Years of Licensing, HKBP Pondok Kelapa Church Finally Inaugurated Pramono

DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung inaugurated the HKBP Pondok Kelapa Church located in Duren Sawit, East Jakarta. (DKI Provincial Government Public Relations)

JAKARTA - After waiting for 35 years, the Protestant Batak Christian Church (HKBP) Ressort Pondok Kelapa finally has a permanent house of worship. DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung inaugurated the church located in Duren Sawit, East Jakarta.

In his remarks, Pramono said that the construction of the church began in April and was completed in November 2025. He said that the long process of establishing the church was inseparable from the permit which took a very long time.

"I am here for the inauguration of the HKBP Ressort Pondok Kelapa Church, whose construction began in April and was completed in November. This church is in the process of obtaining a permit that took up to 35 years, so that the congregation had to move to a place of worship. Alhamdulillah, today everything can be completed," said Pramono, Sunday, December 14.

Pramono explained that the establishment of places of worship in Jakarta must go through a number of administrative stages in stages. The process involves various parties, ranging from the neighborhood level to the provincial government.

"This is the reality that we still face and need to fix together, including through the role of the FKUB that I have just appointed," said Pramono.

Furthermore, Pramonk assessed that the establishment of the HKBP Ressort Pondok Kelapa Church was a reflection of Jakarta's commitment to maintaining diversity and harmony among religious communities. According to Pramono, the issue of the establishment of houses of worship should be resolved through dialogue and mutual respect.

"I am very happy with this settlement. Hopefully this will be a mirror that the affairs of religious harmony, including the strengthening of the spiritual life of the congregation, in Jakarta can run more easily and well," he said.

English:

English:

Pramono also hopes that this church will not only serve as a place of worship, but also play a role in strengthening the social life of the surrounding community, especially in the Pondok Kelapa area and East Jakarta.

He encouraged the church to become a space for faith formation as well as a center of social concern that has a real impact on the surrounding environment.

"As the Governor of Jakarta, I really hope that this HKBP Ressort Pondok Kelapa has a strategic role. I also discussed with Mr. Ephorus, that there are 82 HKBP churches in Jakarta and its surroundings. Hopefully this church will become a symbol of harmony of religious people who live and are maintained in Jakarta," explained Pramono.

For the last 35 years, the congregation of HKBP Ressort Pondok Kelapa has carried out worship in various temporary locations. Places of worship include shops, houses, kindergartens, Veteran Building, to the Pondok Kelapa Town Square shopping center.