Blenduk Church (Gereja Blenduk)

Semarang’s Blenduk Church is the oldest

Church in Central Java and has become an icon of
Semarang. This Church more famous as Gereja
Blenduk located in Jalan Letjen Soeprapto in
Semarang. 

Dressy of Neo-classic, this building see so captivate

and uppermost among existing building around it.
Building situation of frontal to Jl. Suari so called
Kerk Straat (Jalan Gereja). Facing to South, this two
floors building have height of floor which much the
same to high by way in front of it. Foundation used
is stone and structure system from brick. Its wall is made from brick as thick as one stone.
Dome-shaped building roof with metal coat as its cover. Under or tip of dome there are
light hole illuminating wide room.

At east side, building south and west, there are dressy portico of Dorik Romawi. Two
tower reside in frontage, symmetrical in left and right. Under the litle dome there are two
clock. Entrance represent double door of wood panel. Float of door in form of curve, and
so it is with sill of window. There are two window type, first, double window have leaf of
krepyak, both, colourful solder glass window which so typically. A ex- air-gap of Parade
Plein in eastside building, adding idiosyncrasy of this Church, from this room we are served
by many interesting and different viewpoint.

This Protestant Church in Semarang was built by the Dutch community way back in 1753.
Since then, every Sunday, the Gereja Blenduk comes alive to the sound of hymns and
prayers. In 1894 Semarang’s Gereja Blenduk Church underwent extensive renovation,
under the guidance of W. Westmaas and H.P.A de Wilde, this church represent inheritance
of Dutch. Referred as church of Blenduk because its dome form which like slice of ball, so
people tell ‘mblenduk’. Occupying areal for the width of 400 m², this building in form of
trapeze ( hexagonal) with display in the form of foursquare rooms side and length side in
form of Greek crucifix.

It's Interior form entirely distinguish Dutch decorated by arranged plant while at balcony
have form beauty of unique interior. As one of the ancient building in Old Town
environment, this building can visit every day.

The architecture of the Gereja Blenduk Church is very interesting feature so that invite
every tourist to visiting Semarang. Blenduk means “dome” and the large copper dome of
this beautiful church is one of its very notable features. 

Besides, the Gereja Blenduk in Semarang has other features characteristic of 18th
architecture. The ground plan of this Church is structured on a Greek cross. It also has
four pillars and a beautiful classical portico. When in 1894, the Church was being
renovated the beauty of this Church was enhanced by the addition of two towers in front
of it. 

The interiors of the Gereja Blenduk Church are original and haven’t ever been tampered
with. You can still see the chairs used by the original congregation. A huge organ in the
baroque style of the 18th century will capture your attention, as soon as you enter the
Church.This organ is really fascinating because it goes back to the 18th century. It can
neither be restored nor is it working and it remains as a silent spectator to the Church’s
glorious history. Note the iron stairs that lead straight up to the organ specially
constructed by Pletterji Den Haag.

Once you’re done admiring the oldest Church in Central Java, you can tour other buildings
nearby built in Dutch colonial times that are equally worth a visit