Gereja Ayam
|
| The Chicken Church is commonly used for worship by local residents, but it has also become a tourist spot. |
Gereja Ayam is a mimetic building that is also known by its English nickname, Chicken Church. It is located in an area of Magelang, in Central Java, Indonesia.
The structure was intended to be fashioned in the shape of a dove. Its unusual appearance was based on an inspiration that appeared in the dream of its architect, Daniel Alamsjah.
Based on divine messages instructing him to build a house of prayer, Alamsjah began work on the project in the 1990s, despite resistance from the local community. Intended for all faiths, the church became an ongoing project for Alamsjah. For a decade, he worked on the project until funding ran out in 2000. At that point, the project was left in its incomplete state.
It has since been left to decay in the jungle, but in its wilder state, it has also become a tourist attraction. Decorated by passing artists with ceiling murals and jewelled tiles, the Chicken Church has served as an informal religious site, a rehabilitation centre, a film backdrop and a place for local cultural connection. It also has excellent views from the bird’s head and snacks available from a cafe in the bird’s rear end.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
UKCW London to tackle sector’s most pressing issues
AI and skills development, ecology and the environment, policy and planning and more.
Managing building safety risks
Across an existing residential portfolio; a client's perspective.
ECA support for Gate Safe’s Safe School Gates Campaign.
Core construction skills explained
Preparing for a career in construction.
Retrofitting for resilience with the Leicester Resilience Hub
Community-serving facilities, enhanced as support and essential services for climate-related disruptions.
Some of the articles relating to water, here to browse. Any missing?
Recognisable Gothic characters, designed to dramatically spout water away from buildings.
A case study and a warning to would-be developers
Creating four dwellings... after half a century of doing this job, why, oh why, is it so difficult?
Reform of the fire engineering profession
Fire Engineers Advisory Panel: Authoritative Statement, reactions and next steps.
Restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster
A complex project of cultural significance from full decant to EMI, opportunities and a potential a way forward.
Apprenticeships and the responsibility we share
Perspectives from the CIOB President as National Apprentice Week comes to a close.
The first line of defence against rain, wind and snow.
Building Safety recap January, 2026
What we missed at the end of last year, and at the start of this...
National Apprenticeship Week 2026, 9-15 Feb
Shining a light on the positive impacts for businesses, their apprentices and the wider economy alike.
Applications and benefits of acoustic flooring
From commercial to retail.
From solid to sprung and ribbed to raised.
Strengthening industry collaboration in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Institute of Construction and The Chartered Institute of Building sign Memorandum of Understanding.
A detailed description from the experts at Cornish Lime.