Chicken Church, also known as “Gereja Ayam,” which is simply Indonesian for chicken church, is located on a hill in Magelang, in a forest on the Island of Java, Indonesia. This uniquely shaped building was meant to resemble a dove. However, the crown on the head made it look more like a hen than a dove.
Now, it is a tourist attraction, attracting scores of tourists who go to see the mystique and uniqueness of the church. This article delves deeper into the tale of Gereja Ayam, highlighting its history, the reasons it was abandoned, and its current situation.
History of Chicken Church
Chicken Church was the brainchild of Daniel Alamsjah. He was a devout Christian who claimed to have been inspired by God to build a place of worship through a vision in 1989. The plan was to develop a place of prayer and meditation for people to congregate regardless of their religion.
Construction did not begin until the early 90s when he acquired land on Rhema Hill, a remote location in a hilly and forested area. With limited funds, he started the project with the help of local workers and volunteers.
Depending on perspective, the church features a façade that resembles a dove or a chicken. The main body of the structure forms a spacious interior, allowing large gatherings, while the head contains smaller rooms with windows. These windows offer a panoramic view of the area.
The crown part of the infrastructure is also accessible and opens to a nice aerial view. In the basement, there is also what they refer to as the prayer basement, a unique addition to the building.
The church was constructed in two villages, Karangrejo and Kembanglimus, and is popularly known as the tourist area. In addition to the church, there is a café at the end of the structure and a souvenir shop selling Indonesian snack products nearby.
While still under construction, financial problems began to emerge. Daniel, as committed as he was, could not find funds for this project. Construction finally ceased in the early 2000s, leaving the building incomplete.
Why Was Chicken Church Abandoned?
Daniel Alamsjah, the visionary behind the Chicken Church, began the project with limited funds. Although Alamsjah had big aspirations for a multi-faith house of prayer, the cost of constructing such a large and peculiar building grew faster than his funding.
This left him broke, so he had no option but to cease his construction project. Chicken Church was left at the mercy of nature. The fact that it was in a very remote location did not help because it was not easily accessible. Maintaining consistent progress was difficult.
The building’s large avian façade was an unusual architectural feat that made construction a bit more complicated. It required more resources and planning than Alamsjah could provide.
Local resistance also played a significant role in its abandonment. It is said that religious concerns were circulating about this multi-faith religious infrastructure. At the time, the area was predominantly Muslim. There were also concerns about land use and zoning, which may have contributed to its abandonment.
What Happened to Chicken Church?
After it was abandoned, the Chicken Church remained incomplete, going into wild vegetation. For many years, it remained isolated, leading to speculations about occult practitioners using it. However, this turned out to be just a rumor.
In the mid-2010s, the site was once more discovered by tourists and reached public awareness with the help of social networks and travel blogs. It attracted visitors interested in its bird-like appearance and panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including Borobudur Temple.
Locals saw to it that this building was used for tourism when more visitors started to visit. Small-scale restorations began to take place. This included cleaning off vegetation and securing visitor safety. Minor interior renovations were also done.
A path was made from the bottom of the hill for tourists to hike up to the church. The church opened interior tours, including underground meditation rooms, and visitors could go up as far as the bird’s crown for panoramic views.
Chicken Church rose to fame when it was featured in several films, including a very popular Indonesian movie, “Ada Apa Dengan Cinta? 2.” It also gained popularity with photographers and artists, who would be drawn to its unique architecture and decaying appeal in the lush surroundings. Nowadays, it is a well-known destination for tourists and spiritual seekers alike. It offers both a quirky travel experience and a place for quiet reflection.
Can You Visit Chicken Church?
Over time, visiting Chicken Church has become easier despite its remote location. Most tourists start from Borobudur Temple since Chicken Church is close to it. The last stretch is hiking up Rhema Hill.
Although relatively easy, it’s a fair enough walk. Jeeps are available at a fee for those who do not want to hike, and the views are decent. Other tour operators even offer a combined tour to Borobudur and the Chicken Church to conveniently see both places in one day.
The Chicken Church is open to visitors. It usually requires a moderate entrance fee, and then the revenues go to its maintenance and restoration efforts. Opening hours generally run in line with daytime visiting hours since this is when the hike is most enjoyable and the views are most appreciated.
The main hall and underground areas, originally intended as prayer rooms, are partially restored and can be viewed. One of the highlights is climbing to the crown of the head, where views of the forests and hills surrounding it are enjoyed.
The site is tranquil, with many visitors coming for quiet reflection or to marvel at the uniqueness of the structure’s design. Though these efforts do their job, the construction of the building is largely incomplete.