The Hindu-Javanese Church

situation in countryside church Puh Sarang, district Semen, sub-province Kediri, the night so concentrated lamat-lamat is also heard voice tetabuhan gamelan Java from direction of church multi purpose building. Church chorus voice in Javanese heave accompanied by music voice gamelan Java. When Friday legi yesterday, the countryside road by vehicle of pilgrimage from outside town.

Around 3000 Catholik believer come kesini, having pilgrimage, pray in front of Gua Bunda Maria Lourdes. It is estimated 10000 one would present in big ceremony " Opening of Jubileum Agung Tahun 2000 " in bishop region Surabaya, which will be carried out in Puh Sarang, Sunday 26 Decembers 1999.

Main attention will be gone to antique church Puh Sarang being built by the year 1936 by an architect antropolog culture admirer Majapahit. Architecture of having pattern inkulturasi ( local cultural borrowing) Java Hindu.

Puh Sarang is name a countryside residing in region Kecamatan Semen, located in around 10 direction kms of town south-east Kediri. Poh Keputih, seems to be of name of its position eside in east bevel Gunung Klotok, Komplek Pegunungan Wilis, in the form of area is having contour, having air cool, and stone times become properties of this countryside. River Kedak which is is passing Puh Sarang is fulfilled by stone, so that stone then become second living, besides farming.

" People here live by break stone. Saking the many stones, the price of stone for building can be be cheaper than the price of brick", say Rudi ( 25), stone crusher, also building coolie. a men with full energy all day long can beat breaking stone until 20 cikrak one day. That mean their production around Rp 15000 - Rp 20000 one day.

Church Puh Sarang draw because physical of church building him. its architecture is is intentionally made half to look like Hindu Java temples in ancient East Java and Central Java. Keunikan seems to emerging because of founder mission method choice it, Pastor Wolters, CM is assisted by an antropolog architecture Ir. Henricus Maclaine Pont. Church make an attempt on inkulturasi, process at the time of local culture permeated for adaptation of local community church teaching him. Puh Sarang build as church inkulturasi with base at Hindu philosophy - Java.

Chief Stasi Puh Sarang Mbah Tukiman ( 70-an) own?have an article copy anonim which seems to be result an academic research history of PuhsarangTerekam there, that all the time Pastor Wolter, CM conception this Puh Sarang church as a " Java Hindu Church". Hope Wolters as according to obsession Maclaine and the knowledge which in about situs Majapahit in Trowulan, so that Puh Sarang is design with Hindu concept - the Java.

Paul Jansen, stasi Puh Sarang year 1950-an explain, how inkulturasi form of church building as Puh Sarang constantly require in that period. inkulturasi process, in history of puh Sarang even have been more and more far, for example by using Java dance though then refused by believer.

Bishop Surabaya also bless development of Gua Bunda Maria Lourdes which is luxury complete with public square place of contemplation which able to accomodate thousands of people. In situpun is built by crucifix street replica Golgota, maisonettes Rosario, which later will be opened at big Upacara " Opening of Jubileum Agung lahun 2000".

No wonder if Puh Sarang now rounded into area purpose of new wisata. Soil around location Puh Sarang now the price leap because coming it soil buyer from Jakarta, what plan will build lodgings. After process inkulturasi now find form of barunya,berupa reproduction of symbol spiritual and even lodging business opportunity, besides addition of production of resident take care of bicycle deposit.

( Daily is KOMPAS, Friday , 24 Decembers 1999 things. 17 )