Minister urges preserving Semarang’s Blenduk Church as living heritage

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2 hours ago

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Culture Minister Fadli Zon has encouraged the preservation of Blenduk Church, also known as GPIB Immanuel Church, in the Old City area of Semarang, Central Java, as a living heritage site.

In an official statement received here on Saturday, Zon expressed hope that the building would remain well maintained and continue to be used by the congregation so that its historical value and social function remain alive.

“Hopefully, this building will also be well maintained and become a living heritage, and continue to be used every week by the congregation at Blenduk Church,” he said.

Blenduk Church was built in 1753 and renovated in 1895. The building still retains its colonial architectural style, including its distinctive dome, known locally as a blenduk, which gives the church its name.

According to Zon, preservation is not only about maintaining a building’s physical condition but also ensuring that it remains in use and continues to serve a function in community life.

The minister also highlighted the old organ that forms part of Blenduk Church’s history, noting that it is currently not functioning properly. He expressed hope that a planned donation from the Netherlands could soon be followed up.

He added that the Culture Ministry would work with relevant agencies to facilitate the process so that the organ could be used again.

“We have received information that the organ in this church is quite old and not functioning well. We hope there will be a donation from the Netherlands, and we will facilitate it with relevant agencies so the organ can be put back into use here soon,” he said.

The ministry encouraged the preservation of cultural heritage sites through protection, development, and utilization while taking into account their historical value and the buildings’ original character.