History

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History of GPIB Maranatha

Since the establishment of the Protestant Congregation in Surabaya (Indische Kerk) in 1775, GPIB has had several church buildings, located at:

  • Jl. Bubutan 69 (Immanuel Congregation, popularly known as Boeboetankerk)
  • Jl. Taman Bintoro 6 (Ebenezer Congregation, popularly known as Darmokapel)
  • Jl. Rajawali 80–82 (Pniel Congregation, popularly known as Noorderkerk)
  • Jl. Residen Sudirman 14–18 (Ketabangkapel, the origin of Maranatha)

Ketabangkapel Building

The chapel located on Residen Sudirman street, although modest and not very large, is a historical milestone for the Protestant congregation in Surabaya.

The land rights for this chapel belong to: “De Protestantsche Gemeente te Soerabaia”

Due to its strong and productive coordination in ministry, the GPIB congregation in Surabaya grew rapidly.

The increasing needs for worship spaces led the congregation to see the necessity of expanding, especially in the Ketabangkapel area, as the existing worship spaces at Jl. Residen Sudirman No. 14, 16, and 18 were deemed no longer adequate.

Thus, on May 20, 1940, the Church Council decided to purchase a new plot of land to build a new church building.

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Land Purchase

According to the deed of sale dated July 14, 1941, a plot of land in Ketabang measuring 4,870 m² was purchased (based on Measurement Letter No. 58, dated February 28, 1929) by De Protestantsche Gemeente te Soerabaia from the Municipality of Surabaya.

  • Seller: Represented by the Mayor, Kerster Willem Anton Hendrik Fuchter
  • Buyer: Represented by Otto Diederich Bleeker (Chairman) and Meester Petrus van Doorne (Secretary)
  • Price: f. 7.50 per m²
  • Total: f. 36,525 (Dutch guilders)

Maranatha Complex Construction

Although the project was delayed due to the Japanese occupation in Indonesia, causing financial and other challenges on May 10, 1957, a decision by the Transitional City Council (DPRDP) of Surabaya approved the formation of a Church Building Committee, which was officially established on November 8, 1957:

Building Commitee:

  • Chair: Rev. S. S. R. Hardin
  • Secretary I: Lwa Siauw King
  • Secretary II: W. A. Heuvelman Mononutu
  • Members:
  • S. P. Tehusijarana
  • H. F. Ruauw
  • Rev. S. Pogalin
  • J. A. Muntu
  • Rev. P. H. Rompas
  • Rev. M. H. Loupatty

Construction Management:

  • Chair: J. V. I. Palilingan
  • Members:
  • P. Lesilolo
  • L. J. H. Tulle
  • O. T. Lontoh

Finance Section:

  • Chair: J. D. Hutabarat
  • Members:
  • D. C. Samurie
  • F. H. Eman
  • W. Z. Joseph

Verification Commission:

  • Dalim Bowo Gulo
  • J.F.H. Wurangin
  • B. Maali (also served as Deputy Chair)

On December 11, 1957, the committee held a plenary meeting and appointed N.V. de Gidts, de Jager Lobry (architects/engineers/builders) as designers, and PT. Marioen Co as contractor.

  • Construction cost: Rp 1,398,500
  • Permit application was submitted to the local government on December 24, 1957, along with blueprints and documents.

The church committee applied to build three permanent stone structures:

  • A church building
  • A meeting hall
  • A parsonage

The site was located at what is now Jl. Yos Sudarso No. 2–4, previously Shindu Negara street and Jl. Ondomohen No. 27 I.

After the government’s feasibility review, the building permit was approved.

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Laying The First Stone

On Sunday, January 5, 1958, a groundbreaking ceremony was held during the morning worship led by Rev. Hardin in the Maranatha complex’s open field.

The first stone was laid by:

  • Rev. Hardin (first)
  • Followed by: Revs. Rompas, Matulessy, Loupatty, Porawouw, Pogalin, Siahaan, and Lumintaintang

Committee Restructure (Late 1958)

New Committee Structure:

  • General Chair: Rev. P. H. Rompas, M.Th
  • Secretary: W. A. Heuvelman-Mononutu

Finance Section:

  • J. D. Hutabarat (Treasurer)
  • D. C. Samurie
  • F. H. Eman

Construction Management:

  • J. V. I. Palilingan (also Vice Chair)
  • P. Lesilolo
  • L. J. H. Tulle
  • O. T. Lontoh

Members:

  • Rev. Hardin (replaced in Aug 1958 by Rev. J. W. Porawouw for study leave)
  • Rev. Pogalin
  • Rev. Loupatty
  • S. P. Tehusijarana
  • H. F. Ruauw
  • J. A. Muntu
  • Lwa Siauw Khing
  • W. Z. Joseph
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Handover and Consecration

After roughly 1 year of construction, the handover ceremony for the new Maranatha Church building was held on February 15, 1959, at 11:00 AM.

  • The ceremony began with a prayer and Psalm led by Rev. Rompas.
  • Mr. Ong, Director of PT. Marioen Co, handed over the church keys to Mr. Lesilolo (Vice Chair of the construction committee) since the Chair, Mr. Palilingan, was on assignment in Italy.

One week later, on Sunday, February 22, 1959, the church consecration service was held by Rev. Rompas.

At the church entrance, a plaque was placed to commemorate:

  • The laying of the first stone
  • The dedication of the Maranatha Church building in Surabaya

This date is now celebrated as the anniversary of GPIB Maranatha Church.

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