The incident came after a spate of attacks on mosques earlier in the week in the eastern city of Kupang, 1,900km south-east of the capital Jakarta.

One report said that large numbers of Muslims had surrounded the Kare church following Friday prayers and cheered as it was set alight.

The crowd prevented fire services from reaching the scene. There are no reports of any injuries.

Attacks: Tit for tat violence in recent weeks

A fire brigade official said that by the time they had been able to reach the scene the church and two neighbouring houses had been destroyed.

Immediately following the violence police officers began guarding other churches in the predominately Muslim city which has a population of 750,000 and lies 1,350km east of Jakarta.

While fears for attacks on Christians remain, many Chinese shops in the city were also reported to have stayed shut.

Tension has been rising between the two denominations in the wake of the country's economic crisis. The incidents have also taken place against a backdrop of continuing student protests in Jakarta for democratic reform.

Christians attacked Mosques in Kupang last week in retaliation for the deaths of around 13 Christians in inter-religious violence in Jakarta.

The bishop of Kupang has apologised for the attacks while Muslim leaders have appealed for calm among their own worshippers.