Thinking of the early Pentecostal movement. Does anyone know how the Congregaçao Cristã no Brasil started? Let me tell you a story about this church. The Igreja Congregação Cristã no Brasil stands as a significant evangelical denomination. It boasts a rich history deeply intertwined with the Italian-American Pentecostal movement.
Its roots trace back to the early 20th century. Luigi Francescon played a pivotal role. He was an elder from the First Italian Presbyterian Church of Chicago. Francescon embraced adult baptism by immersion. This was a departure from the Presbyterian practice of sprinkling.
In 1907 Francescon learned about the Pentecostal Mission. William Durham led this mission in Chicago. Durham’s mission was an extension of the Azusa Street Revival. This revival in Los Angeles emphasized the “Baptism of the Holy Spirit”. Speaking in tongues was emblematic of this experience.
Francescon visited the Pentecostal Mission. He received confirmation that their work had divine approval. Francescon and his companions started attending Durham’s meetings. Most of them experienced Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
On September 15 1907 they returned to their congregation in Chicago. This day became known as “an unforgettable day”. Pietro Ottolini described it as “a day of sacred memory”. It marked the beginning of the “Italian Pentecostal Movement”.
The Igreja Congregação Cristã no Brasil emerged from this movement. It was initially an unnamed congregation. People called it the “Church of Glories”. Other names included Assemblea Cristiana and Congregazione Cristiana. In 1922 it adopted the name “Congregação Christã”. It gained legal status in 1928 as Congregação Cristã do Brasil. The name changed in 1962 to Congregação Cristã no Brasil.
In 1910 the church was established in Brazil. It had two distinct centers. One was in Santo Antônio da Platina Paraná. The other was in São Paulo city.
Louis Francescon traveled by train. He learned about Votorantim near Sorocaba. He discovered a significant Italian immigrant community there. In Votorantim he met Angelo de Ciene. Francescon left him a hymnal and a Bible.
Francescon returned to Brazil in 1918. He found the brothers gathered in a house in Votorantim. Besides Angelo de Ciene the Ribeiro family had accepted the new faith. These families formed the first prayer group in the village. This marked the beginning of the first Igreja Congregação Cristã in the São Paulo countryside. It was the third in Brazil. The faith spread to Sorocaba Piedade and surrounding areas.
The textile factory management persecuted the members. They did not allow noise in the village. The brothers started meeting outside the village. They met at Benedito Ribeiro’s house. Later they met at Piero Bozzon’s and Camolezzi’s houses. Following Francescon’s teachings they sang only in Italian. The village was mainly Italian immigrants.
Interestingly José Thomaz da Costa a talented soccer player joined them. He agreed to attend a prayer service. But the brothers had to become club members and watch him play. They agreed and even prayed for him in the locker room. That was José Thomaz da Costa’s last game. He became an elder in 1931.
Besides Francescon other Italian-American Pentecostals became missionaries in Brazil. These included Giacomo Lombardi and Luis Terragnoli. Francescon made ten more trips to Brazil. The last was in 1948.
The Igreja Congregação Cristã initially adhered to the “12 Articles of Faith”. These were defined at a convention in Niagara Falls NY in 1927. In 2003 the International Convention of Christian Congregations established common principles. This was for church management.
Today the Igreja Congregação Cristã no Brasil is present in 82 countries. It has a strong presence in South America and Africa. The church values its sacred instrumental music. Hymns are sung in unison.
The Igreja Congregação Cristã combines established order with spontaneous activities. Members believe in inspiration from the Holy Spirit. They prioritize collective participation.
The Igreja Congregação Cristã’s story illustrates the power of faith. It also highlights the global reach of the Pentecostal movement. From its humble beginnings in Chicago. It spread its message of faith hope and community far and wide.