
In 1989, Daniel Alamsjah had a dream, in which God told him to build a place of worship in the hills near Yogyakarta, where people of all faiths could come and worship.
The building is supposed to be in the shape of a dove, which is often seen as a religious symbol, or a symbol of peace. The dove is crowned, and its beak is open in song. Unfortunately, the crown, open beak, and fanned tail feathers remind people more of a chicken. It was therefore nicknamed "Gereja Ayam", or "Chicken Church".
Unfortunately, Daniel ran out of money before the building was completed, and construction halted in 2000. The church lay largely abandoned for 15 years, being sporadically used as a place to treat victims of drug abuse or those with mental illness. In 2015, the church became known on the Internet, reigniting interest and cashflow.
Bukit Rhema is now open for tourists and worshippers. There is a cafe and toilet facilities. Construction and restoration work are still in progress, and some parts of the facility feel rough and unfinished, but it's definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.
This is the main hall on the ground floor of the building, offering a wide open space for sermons to be delivered and prayers to be offered. On the lower levels, there are private prayer rooms, toilets, shower facilities, and a "Wall of Hope", where visitors can leave an inspirational message for others.