The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption in Jakarta, Indonesia, marked its 125th anniversary on April 21, with Church leaders emphasizing that its significance lies not in the building itself but in the faithful who gather within it.
“Of course, the congratulations are not addressed to the building itself, but to all the faithful who regularly come here, especially the parishioners of the Cathedral Parish,” said Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo of Jakarta during a Thanksgiving Mass held last week.
“With deep gratitude, I would like to extend my congratulations on the 125th anniversary of the cathedral church,” the cardinal said.
The celebration brought together clergy and parishioners from across the Archdiocese of Jakarta, marking more than a century of the cathedral’s role as the seat of the local Church.
Photo credit: Jakarta’s St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral official website
Cardinal Suharyo described the cathedral as more than a historical landmark, pointing to its role as a guide for the Church’s mission.
“As a cathedral—known as the mother church—may its presence serve as a model of how the Church lives and serves both its people and society,” he said. “May it continue to seek creative ways of ministry in changing times, so that the Church remains meaningful and relevant for both the community and its faithful.”
He also acknowledged those sustaining parish life across ministries.
“My thanks go to everyone involved in the ministry of this church: those in leadership, in small communities, at the parish level, in regions, and in various ministries,” he said. “May all these efforts continue to be a blessing for many of our brothers and sisters and bring glory and praise to God.”
The Neo-Gothic cathedral, designed by priest-architect Antonius Dijkmans, SJ, and built by Marius Hulswit, traces its origins to 1899, when its cornerstone was laid. It was inaugurated and blessed on April 21, 1901, during a pontifical Mass accompanied by the Saint Cecilia Choir.
Following the anniversary Mass, the celebration continued with the traditional cutting of the tumpeng, a cultural expression of thanksgiving, and the opening of a photography exhibition titled “Sustainable Preservation Efforts.”
The exhibition features images of the cathedral in its current condition and aims to promote awareness of its preservation. The site has been designated a National Cultural Heritage site since 2018 by Indonesia’s Ministry of Education and Culture.
An architectural seminar, “Heritage Walk and Talk: Jakarta Cathedral,” is scheduled for May 1, with organizers presenting the cathedral as a case study in heritage conservation.
