Locals Protest Church’s Renovation in Indonesia

About 70 residents visited the HKBP Kulim Jaya Church in Riau, Indonesia, on Feb. 25 to demand a stop to its renovations.

Twenty locals entered the church and requested permits, expressing concerns about the legality of the construction. Armien, the leader of Lubuk Batu Jaya District, confirmed the confrontation and said he would mediate between the church, the sub-district Interfaith Harmony Forum (FKUB), and residents to address the renovation dispute.

Meanwhile, HKBP Church Pastor Faber Manurung noted that the sub-district head and the Lubuk Batu Jaya police chief witnessed residents prohibiting and forcing HKBP Kulim Jaya to halt the church renovation.

The HKBP Church, which has a congregation of 200 people, planned to renovate the church building because it had been in poor condition since 2010 and was no longer suitable for use. The renovations included installing a new foundation.

“With the church’s planks rotting and crumbling, the roof leaking, and its condition completely unfit and uncomfortable for worship, we decided in February of this year to renovate the HKBP Kulim Jaya building,” he explained.

Such protests are common in Indonesia, where Islamic groups often challenge the construction of new church buildings. Muslims have also prevented churches from worshiping.

Pastor Faber explained that HKBP Kulim Jaya, established in 1995, is officially registered with the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia and already holds a land ownership certificate issued by the National Land Agency (BPN).

“Therefore,” he said, “we hope that the government and officials in Lubuk Batu Jaya District and Indragiri Hulu Regency will facilitate the renovation and construction of the HKBP Kulim Jaya church, which is our right.”

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https://persecution.org/2026/03/05/locals-protest-churchs-renovation-in-indonesia/