Abstract

The development of Catholicism left a lasting legacy in Indonesian architectural heritage, as observed in the five colonial-era complexes testifying to the rich history. However, concerns have been raised about the governance and preservation of these sites, which are managed by the Indonesian Church and the Congregation for Catholic Education Providers. Efforts have been made to ensure sustainable conservation, but the inconsistencies in methods and oversight in the process of handling the diverse cultural heritage artifacts are threatening the integrity of the architectural heritage. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the conservation strategies used in these five complexes, with a focus on sustainable management, community engagement, and mitigation of cultural heritage impacts. The examination of the historical context, social narratives, and conservation methods used in each complex led to the identification of the best practices to conserve Catholic heritage sites while promoting their role as an integral component of Indonesian cultural identity. The results showed the power of history and respect for the past as strategies to naturally conserve the five heritage complexes and were expected to inform the development of policies and regulatory frameworks to support sustainable management of cultural heritage architecture in Indonesia. Moreover, a comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved in conserving these significantly contributes to the efforts of the Government and the Archdiocese of Semarang to protect the country’s rich architectural heritage for future generations.