Who We Are

A Brief History
Emmanuel Pentecostal Christian Church is a dynamic, growing body of believers committed to loving God and loving people that keeps a “family atmosphere”, where you always feel welcome. Our Church, has a tremendous heritage. Like most churches, we are the beneficiaries of another's labour. This congregation is a testimony to the missionary vision of the Italian Pentecostal Church of Montreal. And we are thankful for all those who came before us, for their loving and dedicated efforts to establish a testimony to God's grace in Montreal.
Emmanuel Pentecostal Christian Church has its beginning on the mid 1960's, with the vision of the Fabre St. Church, then pastored by Alberico Devito. He encouraged some elders and church families to proclaim the Gospel among the Italians immigrants and start a mission in the St. Michel district of Montreal. We are grateful for all the believers that worked so hard for the
progress of that new evangelistic mission. Among them we will always remember:
• Brother Michele Popolillo of New York, who was enthusiastically involved in the ..missionary work of evangelism with his dear wife.
• Brother Alfonso Mula who was sent to preside over the services and evangelize for ..almost two years.
• Brother Trentino Bonafede and his family from Argentina that came to St. Michel for one year as a missionary pastor.
The Lord blessed those people in a wonderful way and the church grew in number to the point where, in 1965, they purchased a triplex at 8770 St. Michel. They transformed the first floor into an auditorium. In 1966 pastor Elie Devito became the first elected pastor. Under the seven years (1966 – 1973) of is pastorate God greatly blessed his ministry and many families were added to the church. Fabre Street Church withdrew its leadership and the church became autonomous. The growing congregation took another step of faith deciding to hire a full time pastor that could devote all his time to the ministry. Pastor David DiStaulo was called to pastor the congregation in May 1973. In the autumn of the same year, the Sunday attendance outgrew the auditorium at the St. Michel location. For the next 18 months they held the Sunday services at Montcalm School facing the church. Then in winter 1975 they moved to Ecole Secondaire Henri Bourassa, 6051 Maurice Duplessis and began holding their Sunday services there. Also in 1975 the congregation was incorporated with the name Emmanuel Pentecostal Christian Church and land was purchased where our present building stands.
Pastor David DiStaulo continued his ministry at Emmanuel until the year 1989, when he felt the call to move in Boston (USA). Pastor John DellaForesta became the senior pastor until 1994. After Pastor DellaForesta’s resignation in 1995, Pastor David DiStaulo was elected for the second time as senior pastor until his resignation in the month of September 2006. In February 2007, Pastor Mario S.M. Catalano took the responsibility of the pastorate and is the senior pastor of our church.
Emmanuel, during these years of ministry has witnessed God’s power and forgiveness, His healing and redeeming grace. Many believers from our congregation have been lead by God into full-time ministries around the world.
Today we are on the verge of another milestone of growth and expansion. As the return of Christ approaches, the Spirit urges us to keep reaching the lost and care for the souls already in the fold. We strive to work together, with one purpose, one vision and one faith. Back to Top