The Cathedral of Messiah of Jakarta Reformed Evangelical Church

The Cathedral of Messiah of Jakarta Reformed Evangelical Church was dedicated on morning with a thanksgiving service.  Rev. Dr. Stephen Tong, founder and pastor of the Jakarta Reformed Evangelical Church and the main architect of the Cathedral, presided and delivered the sermon in a very moving service which was attended to its full capacity by more than 4,600 people.  There were about 600 guests from around the world.  The church's Children Chorus opened the service with "Lift Thine Eyes" From Mendelssohn Elijah from the Lobby.

Billy Kristanto played the Organ and Dr. Jahja Ling played on the Steinway Concert Grand during the service.  The Jakarta Oratorio Society and Capella Amadeus performed selections from Handel "Messiah" led by Eunice Tong, their chorus master and excerpts from Mendelssohn Symphony No. 2 "Lobgesang" conducted by Dr. Jahja Ling, music director of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. They were joined by Dr. Yi Lin Hsu (Soprano from Taiwan), Ms. Renata Lim (from Jakarta), and Mr. Chin Yong (from Kuala Lumpur) as soloists.  Dr. Tong conducted Handel "Hallelujah Chorus" to conclude the service.

The inaugural concert for the opening of the Cathedral was held on in the John Calvin Auditorium.  The event, which was attended by more than 2,100 people, featured the performance of the complete Mendelssohn Symphony No. 2 "Lobgesang" (see the above for the performers) as well as performance of Guiliani Gran Duo Concertan op 85 by Yakub Entjun Kartawidjaja, Guitar and Victor Kam Flute, piano solo by Jessie Chang in Brahms Rhapsody in G Op. 79 no. 2 and she was joined by her husband Dr. Jahja Ling to play Hungarian Dances no 1 and 5 in a four hands piano version.  Billy Kristanto played selection of organ solos to conclude the first half of the program.

Reuters, Wall Street Journal, Jakarta Post, Singapore Strait Times, German News and local papers all published the news of the opening of the Cathedral.

This event was also broadcast live to other Reformed Evangelical Churches/Fellowship at the following locations:

  • Singapore
  • Perth
  • Melbourne
  • Taipei
  • Beijing
  • Shanghai
  • Los Angeles
  • Boston
  • Salt Lake City

 STEMI USA


Dedication Service [1]


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First Combined Services [1]


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Cathedral Messiah [1]


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