Landmark guide · Jatinegara
Gereja Koinonia (GPIB Koinonia)
Gereja Koinonia is one of Jakarta's oldest Protestant churches, standing at the junction of Jl. Matraman Raya and Jl. Jatinegara Barat in what was once Meester Cornelis. Its four tower-like corner stairwells and pyramid roofs were restored to their early-20th-century form in 2023, and it remains an active GPIB congregation.
Know before you go
- Hours
- Sunday services 07:00, 10:00 and 18:00; no published weekday visiting hours
- Entry
- Free; it is a working church
- Address
- Jl. Matraman Raya No. 216, Bali Mester, Jatinegara
- Time needed
- 20–30 minutes, or a full service
- Status
- Cultural heritage building (Governor's decree No. 510 of 2018)
Checked October 2026; verify before visiting.
- Visit on Sunday morning if you want to see inside.
- Photograph the corner towers from across Jl. Jatinegara Barat.
- Dress modestly and stay quiet during services.
- Combine with Pasar Jatinegara and the gem market.
- Traffic at this junction is heavy; cross at the lights.
History
A church was first built here around 1889 by Keuchenius, a former president of Batavia's high court. It was rebuilt in 1911–1916 as the Bethelkerk of the Indische Kerk. In 1948 ownership passed to the new Gereja Protestan di Indonesia bagian Barat (GPIB) as Jemaat Bethel, and on 1 January 1961 the congregation took the name Koinonia, Greek for fellowship.
What to see
The plan is square and symmetrical, with a porch on each side and four stair rooms at the corners rising like small towers, each under its own pyramid roof around the main roof. The interior has a main hall, a gallery for overflow and a prayer room on the third floor. Jakarta declared it a heritage building in 2018, and a restoration that returned it to its original design was completed on 31 March 2023.
Visiting tips
The easiest way to see the interior is to attend a Sunday service; at other times, ask politely at the church office. Dress modestly and do not photograph during worship. Pasar Jatinegara and Jatinegara station are a few minutes' walk away, so fold it into our Jatinegara food trail.
Getting there
Take KRL to Jatinegara station and walk west, or use TransJakarta along Jl. Matraman Raya. Matraman KRL station is also close.
Questions about Gereja Koinonia (GPIB Koinonia)
How old is Gereja Koinonia?
A church was built here around 1889, and the present building dates from a 1911–1916 rebuild as the Bethelkerk.
Can tourists visit Gereja Koinonia?
It is an active church. Visitors are welcome at Sunday services (07:00, 10:00 and 18:00); outside those times, ask at the office.
Why is it called Koinonia?
The congregation adopted the name on 1 January 1961; koinonia means fellowship.
Stay nearby
Juno Jatinegara Jakarta
Jl. Matraman Raya 173–175 Guest-rated 4.8
Top-rated stay on Matraman Raya.
From about Rp346,000/night
Holiday Inn Express Jakarta Matraman
Jl. Matraman Raya 57 Guest-rated 4.7
179-room IHG hotel opposite Gramedia Matraman, with breakfast and a 24-hour gym.
Prices indicative, checked October 2026. We may earn a commission when you book through our links, at no extra cost to you. How we earn.
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