Jakarta, IO – Pasundan Christian Church (GKP) Palalangon is known as the oldest Christian congregation in Cianjur, West Java.
The church was established by B.M Alkema, an evangelist from the Nederlandsche Zendings Vererniging (NZV) in 1902, per detikcom, Tue (26/12).
GKP Palalangon administrator Vicar (Vik) Ricki Albett Sinaga said that during those times, Alkema was assisted by seven people who managed to gather 21 followers. They became the “embryo” of the church’s congregation.
The church is named after the location where it is at, namely Palalangon which means tower. However, the word originally did not refer to a towering building, but to the location of the village situated on a hill.
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Initially, the church building was just a makeshift place of worship made with natural materials. The church was later rebuilt with a European style design. However, the sturdy wooden beams that support the roof are preserved. Today, the church is still used as a place of worship.
“It was first built from thatch, very simple. Then it was rebuilt using stronger material. The building has always been like this, we have maintained the origin façade,” explained Ricki. (un)