Hidden deep within the lush Indonesian jungle, a captivating and mystical structure stands tall, capturing the curiosity of hundreds of travelers and photographers every year. Known locally as Gereja Ayam, or Chicken Church, this long-abandoned building located in the hills of Magelang, Central Java, resembles the form of a giant chicken, earning it its peculiar name.
The enigmatic creator behind this remarkable edifice is Daniel Alamsjah, a 67-year-old man who received a divine vision from God while working in Jakarta, miles away from the site. He was inspired to construct a ‘prayer house’ atop a hill, taking the shape of a dove. Although many mistakenly consider it a church due to Alamsjah’s Christian faith, he clarifies that it was intended as a place of prayer, open to people of all faiths who believe in God.
The story of Gereja Ayam began in 1989, when Daniel Alamsjah was visiting Magelang, the hometown of his wife’s family. As he wandered through the area, he was astonished to see the exact landscape that had been recurring in his dreams. Feeling a deep connection to the spot, he prayed all night and received a revelation that this was the very place where the prayer house must be built.
A year later, local landowners offered Alamsjah a 3,000 square meter plot on Rhema Hill for a mere two million rupees, which he paid off over four years. The unique allure of the prayer house attracted people from diverse religious backgrounds, including Buddhists, Muslims, and Christians, all seeking to worship in their own way.
One of the intriguing rumors surrounding the building suggested that it once served as a rehabilitation center. Alamsjah confirmed this to be true, revealing that the prayer house had been a sanctuary for therapy for disabled children, drug addicts, troubled individuals, and disturbed youth who sought solace and healing.
Unfortunately, the prayer house had to close its doors in 2000 due to the high construction costs. Nevertheless, it remains a popular destination for tourists who visit the captivating site in Indonesia. The nearby village of Dese Gombong, whose head was among the locals who helped build the prayer house, benefits from tourists’ curiosity by offering parking services for visitors.
In the era of social media, Gereja Ayam has become a favorite subject for travel bloggers like Putri Normalita, who capture the ethereal beauty of the building and share it online. Despite its mysterious history, the site has become a popular venue for weddings, attracting people from far and wide.
As time passes, signs of wear and tear are evident in the structure, with five of the eight supporting pillars showing signs of decay. Adventurous travelers, like Alek Kurniawan, who explored the interior of the building, discovered terraced rooms that once served as a church hall on the upper level and bedrooms and bathrooms in the basement. Some rooms lay untouched, shrouded in darkness, and inhabited by bats.
Throughout the years, the walls of Gereja Ayam have also become a canvas for graffiti, displaying both artwork and inappropriate content. Such an eccentric and mysterious ambiance continues to captivate the imaginations of visitors, adding to the allure of this enchanted building.
In conclusion, Gereja Ayam, the Chicken Church, remains an enigmatic wonder in the Indonesian jungle, with a fascinating history that includes divine visions, rehabilitation efforts, and a diverse congregation of worshippers. Its striking resemblance to a giant chicken and the unique experiences it offers to those who explore its interior make it an alluring destination for travelers, photographers, and those seeking a connection to the spiritual world. As the mystical allure of Gereja Ayam persists, it continues to be a testament to the power of imagination and the unexplainable wonders found in the hidden corners of our world.
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