The Chicken Church of Yogyakarta, a Man's Dream that Came True  

TIMESINDONESIA, YOG – Everyone knows that Yogyakarta was filled with dozens religious tourist destination such as those Borobudur and Prambanan Temple. But little did you know, there is one exotic church in Yogyakarta with beautiful shape resembles a chicken. It's so called the Chicken Church or well known by Gereja Ayam by the local community.

Located at Rhema Hill, Magelang Yogyakarta, Chicken church could be reached within 20 minutes drive from Borobudur temple. This church nestled in the midlle of lush green tropical forest with such stunning tamosphere and beautiful ambience.

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This church started to be established I 1990 after the man behind the church Daniel Alamsjah got a vision on his dream in 1988 tobuild a church in dove shape on a beautiful hill. few months after he found a place that similar to his dream while he was visiting one of his worker in Magelang when he was sick.

He spent a night there and in the morning, his employee took him to enjoy a nice beautiful sunrise at Rhema Hill. “I was amazed! It was the same hill and the same view that I saw in my vision,” as Daniel said in Atlas Obscura.

Before he went home to Jakarta to meet his family, Daniel gave his card to the chief of the village in case the place was open for sale. In a matter of months, the local village sent him a letter said that the area was open for buyers.

Daniel rushed up against Magelang and managed to get 5000 square meters or 0,5 hectare area for IDR 3.500 K or worth around $ 5000 back then. and in 1990 he started to construction himself without the help of any engineer.

Despite of his lack knowledge in architecture, he and 30 local community built the church from the scratch. They made a dove shape. But then Daniel decided to add a crown on the head. That makes the local thought it was a chicken.. And that’s where the name of the church taken from.

 In the middle of the construction they have to deal with some local rejection yet they kept building the church. As in 2000, they have to stop the construction for some fund issue. Leaving the 2nd and 3rd floor left out without roof and the 1st floor stays without tile but dirt.

The church then left abandoned for almost 15 years. However, this place kept getting some visitors at least around 100 of them in a month. Daniel collet some money from them for the maintenance fee.  Until one day in 2015 two of Britain media put this church on their news.

The church took back its glory and become quiet famous. More than 2000 people coming to this place each omonth jut to pray and admire the exotic architecture. Some famous Indonesian movie AADC or Ada Apa Dengan Cinta (What's the Deal with Love) has took this place as one of their setting.

For that moment on, Daniel took a chance to collect some more money fro the ticket. He charged the viitors for IDR 10 K or less than $1. He uses the money to resume the construction. And now this Chicken Church has had 3 floor beautiful interior design.

This Chicken Church or Gereja Ayam of Yogyakarta not only offers an exotic beautiful architecture. Daniel also built some mini museum in memorial for their first construction up to when the church finished it. There is  also a nice cafeteria which served local dishes in the church for the tourist.(*)

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