Congregação Crista

In 1910, a missionary named Louis Francescon arrived in São Paulo. He carried with him the seeds of a new Pentecostal faith, one that would soon blossom into the Congregação Cristã no Brasil. The Congregação Cristã no Brasil’s story begins not in Brazil, but in Chicago. Francescon, an Italian-American missionary, found himself drawn to the burgeoning Pentecostal movement there. He experienced the “Baptism of the Holy Spirit,” a key tenet of Pentecostalism. Francescon brought this experience with him to Brazil, establishing the first Congregação Cristã no Brasil congregations in Santo Antônio da Platina, Paraná, and here in São Paulo, in the Brás neighborhood. The Congregação Cristã no Brasil initially had no formal denomination. Early followers simply referred to themselves as the “Church of Glories.” The church formally adopted the name “Congregação Cristã do Brasil” in 1928. In 1962, the name was changed to its current form, Congregação Cristã no Brasil. Today, the Congregação Cristã no Brasil is one of the largest evangelical denominations in Brazil. Its administrative headquarters and central temple are right here in Brás, São Paulo. This temple is the fourth largest in São Paulo, covering an impressive 19,028 square meters. The Congregação Cristã no Brasil has unique practices. Members abstain from tithing and rely on voluntary, anonymous offerings. They believe in the universal priesthood and reject salaried clergy. All ministerial roles, from elders and deacons to musicians, are voluntary. The church has a strong tradition of musical worship. In 1932, Francescon introduced the orchestra to enhance congregational singing. The Congregação Cristã no Brasil now boasts the largest liturgical orchestra in the world. It includes violins, violas, cellos, flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons, saxophones, trumpets, horns, trombones, euphoniums, tubas, and the organ. Interestingly, only men can play instruments in the orchestra, except the organ which is solely played by women. The Congregação Cristã no Brasil’s music is unique. Their hymnbook, “Hymns of Praise and Supplication to God,” includes hymns from the 16th to the 21st centuries. However, the church does not produce or authorize recordings of its hymns. Another unique aspect of the Congregação Cristã no Brasil is its stance on politics. It maintains strict separation of church and state. Members of the ministry are forbidden from holding political office. The Congregação Cristã no Brasil refrains from any political endorsements. This unique blend of traditions and beliefs has made the Congregação Cristã no Brasil a significant presence in Brazilian religious life. As you stand before this impressive temple in Brás, remember the journey of Louis Francescon. From Chicago to São Paulo, he brought a faith that continues to resonate with millions today.