Religious site
Church of the Birth of Our Lady, Surabaya
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The Church of the Birth of Our Lady, also known as Kepanjen Church, is a Roman Catholic church in Surabaya, East Java. Completed in 1900, it is the oldest Roman Catholic church in Surabaya. The red bricks were imported from Europe, and the columns and original furniture are made of teak.
Don't miss
- Oldest Roman Catholic church in Surabaya, completed in 1900
- Red bricks imported from Europe
- Teak columns and original furniture
- Foundation uses 799 galam wood pillars from Kalimantan, driven 16 meters deep due to unstable ground
- Uneven brick coloration from fire damage during the 1945 Battle of Surabaya
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Church of the Birth of Our Lady, Surabaya
You can visit Church of the Birth of Our Lady, Surabaya on your own. A guide is worth it for the history and detail that is easy to walk past, and a tour can combine it with nearby sights.
Cheapest way inPrivate Day Tour Surabaya Historiculture4.7★ · 99 travelers4-5 hoursFree cancellationFrom$69 per personSee dates →
Best full daySurabaya Private Tour4.9★ · 96 travelers4-7 hoursFree cancellationFrom$78 per personSee dates →Getting there
Know before you go
- Also known as Kepanjen Church, located at the corner of Jalan Kepanjen and Jalan Kebonrojo.
- The church suffered fire damage during the 1945 Battle of Surabaya, visible in uneven brick colors.
A bit of history
Catholicism in Surabaya began with Father Hendricus Waanders and Father Philippus Wedding, sent from the Netherlands. Under Waanders, the congregation grew, leading to a new church built in 1822. The present church was started in 1899 after Pastor C.W.J. Wenneker bought land for 8,815 guilders in 1889. Designed by W. Westmaas, it was consecrated in 1900 by the Archbishop of Batavia. The church suffered fire damage during the 1945 Battle of Surabaya, causing uneven brick coloration.
Common questions
When was the church completed?
Construction was completed on August 5, 1900, and it was consecrated later that year.
Who designed the church?
The church was designed by W. Westmaas, who also worked on the reconstruction of Blenduk Church in 1894.
Why are the bricks uneven in color?
Fire damage during the 1945 Battle of Surabaya required some original bricks to be replaced, resulting in uneven coloration.
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