Old Rekas Church

Traces of Civilization and Faith at the Old Rekas Church: A Silent Witness to Catholic Missions in Manggarai

Gereja Tua Rekas is more than just a place of worship; it is a living monument that records the early days of colonial influence and the spread of Catholicism on the western Flores mainland, particularly in the area now administratively part of West Manggarai Regency (formerly part of the Manggarai region). Standing strong in Rekas Village, Mbeliling District, this church is one of the most monumental historical sites that illustrates the synthesis between European architecture and the local spirit of the Manggarai people.

Historiographical Origins and Construction Period

The history of Gereja Tua Rekas cannot be separated from the mission of the Society of the Divine Word (Societas Verbi Divini/SVD) which began to penetrate the interior of Flores in the early 20th century. The construction of this church began in the period of the 1920s to the 1930s, a time when infrastructure in the Manggarai interior was still very limited. Rekas was chosen as the center of the mission (parish) due to its strategic location as a meeting point for trade and communication routes between the coastal area of Labuan Bajo and the administrative center in Ruteng.

This church was built under the supervision of missionaries from the Netherlands and Germany. One of the central figures often associated with the construction and development of this parish is Father Wilhelm Baack, SVD. Its construction involved the mutual cooperation (lonto leok) of thousands of local congregants who manually transported materials. A unique fact accompanying its construction is the use of local materials such as river stones and sand mixed with lime from burnt seashells, creating a very strong wall structure without large amounts of modern cement.

Architecture: Neo-Gothic Style and Tropical Adaptation

Architecturally, Gereja Tua Rekas displays simplified characteristics of the European Neo-Gothic style. This is evident in the shape of the windows and doors with pointed arches at the top. However, the most striking feature is its high and steep roof construction, a clever adaptation to the high rainfall in the mountainous region of Mbeliling.

The church walls have a thickness of 50 to 60 centimeters, providing good temperature insulation so that the interior of the church remains cool even when the weather outside is hot. The church floor originally used patterned cement tiles imported directly from Europe through the ports of Reo or Labuan Bajo, which were then transported by horse or carried by residents through the steep hilly terrain.

The church interior is dominated by teak and ironwood (local ulin wood) pillars supporting the roof structure. The main altar retains its classic design with fine wood carvings, reflecting the aesthetics of medieval Catholic churches in Europe but with touches of local Manggarai ornamentation in some of the wooden details.

Historical Significance and Important Events

Gereja Tua Rekas served as the "Mother" for many parishes in the West Manggarai region. During the Japanese occupation (1942-1945), the church briefly served as a shelter for civilians and missionaries who were not captured. The resilience of its structure made it one of the few permanent buildings that survived various historical upheavals, including the major earthquakes that often struck the NTT region.

This site also became the first educational center in the region. Around the church, missionaries established people's schools (Volkschool) which became the precursors to the emergence of educated individuals in Manggarai. Rekas Church witnessed the social transition from a society that adhered to ancestral beliefs (animism) to a modern Catholic society without abandoning its cultural roots.

Figures and Cultural Influence

Besides Father Wilhelm Baack, names like Father Jan van Roosmalen are also recorded in the collective memory of the Rekas community as figures who strengthened the spiritual and social foundations there. The presence of this church changed the settlement patterns of residents, who were previously scattered in the hills, to be more centralized around the church complex, creating a more organized village structure.

Cultural ties are strongly felt during religious holidays or harvest thanksgiving celebrations (Penti). The community often combines traditional rituals in the churchyard or in the traditional house (Mbaru Niang) located not far from the church site, demonstrating the harmonization between Catholic faith and the strong Manggarai traditions.

Preservation and Restoration Status

Currently, Gereja Tua Rekas has been designated as a cultural heritage object under the protection of the local government and the Cultural Preservation Center. Given its age, which has exceeded a century, several restoration efforts have been undertaken. The main challenges in preservation are maintaining the authenticity of the wooden materials that are starting to decay and preserving the original tiles, some of which are beginning to crack.

The West Manggarai Regency Government (as a division of Manggarai) continues to strive to promote Gereja Tua Rekas as a religious and historical tourist destination (Historical Tourism). Restorations are carried out carefully so as not to lose its historical value. The tin roof that was originally used is now being considered for replacement with materials closer to its original form to maintain the aesthetics of the past.

Conclusion: A Legacy for Future Generations

Gereja Tua Rekas is more than just a pile of stones and wood. It is a symbol of resilience, mutual cooperation, and the long history of the meeting of two civilizations. For the Manggarai people, this church is an identity. Its existence reminds us of the difficult times of development under colonialism, but also the golden ages of the spread of literacy and spirituality. Preserving Gereja Tua Rekas means preserving the nation's collective memory of how faith and culture can grow side by side in the blessed land of Flores.