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
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 fron the experts at Cornish Lime.
IHBC planning for growth with corporate plan development
Grow with the Institute by volunteering and CP25 consultation.
Connecting ambition and action for designers and specifiers.
Electrical skills gap deepens as apprenticeship starts fall despite surging demand says ECA.
Built environment bodies deepen joint action on EDI
B.E.Inclusive initiative agree next phase of joint equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plan.
Recognising culture as key to sustainable economic growth
Creative UK Provocation paper: Culture as Growth Infrastructure.
Futurebuild and UK Construction Week London Unite
Creating the UK’s Built Environment Super Event and over 25 other key partnerships.
Welsh and Scottish 2026 elections
Manifestos for the built environment for upcoming same May day elections.
Advancing BIM education with a competency framework
“We don’t need people who can just draw in 3D. We need people who can think in data.”
Guidance notes to prepare for April ERA changes
From the Electrical Contractors' Association Employee Relations team.
Significant changes to be seen from the new ERA in 2026 and 2027, starting on 6 April 2026.
First aid in the modern workplace with St John Ambulance.
Solar panels, pitched roofs and risk of fire spread
60% increase in solar panel fires prompts tests and installation warnings.
Modernising heat networks with Heat interface unit
Why HIUs hold the key to efficiency upgrades.