"Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty" (Zech.4:6)

The origins of the Italian Pentecostal Church of Montreal, dating from the`year` 1920, is well known in the Italian work throughout the world. Among its founding members we find the following families: Giuseppe Antonio DiStaulo, PardoDiStaulo (his brother), Giuseppe Maiorano, Giovanni Pietrantonio, Vincenzo DiCesare, PasqualeTamilio. They were all members of the Italian Methodist Church (of which Liborio Lattoni was the pastor), who were searching for the Full Gospel Message.  

A member of an English Pentecostal church, who was of Italian origin, presented the Pentecostal message to his friend, Giuseppe A. DiStaulo. After this, brother Eustachio D'Ercole came from Toronto, teaching him the importance and reality of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.  

A skeptic from the beginning, Giuseppe Antonio DiStaulo began to meditate upon the second chapter of the book of Acts. Stopping at verse 39, he came to understand that the promise of Pentecost was for him also. He immediately began to share his discovery with a group of Italians who had left the Methodist Church. They held their first service in the home of brotherPardoDiStaulo on the first Sunday of September 1921 at 10:00 am. on Marquette and Belanger St. During the months of November and December the Lord graciously saved many people and baptized with the Holy Spirit brothers Giovanni Totilo, GennaroDiStaulo and Pasquale Tamilio. Later Antonio D'Alonzo, Costanto and Frank DiStaulo joined the group of believers.  

Consequently Giuseppe Antonio DiStaulo became the first Pastor of this infant church. He was a labourer who had only attended elementary school, but being very studious, he became an able expositor of the Word of God.  

The group had rented a building on Papineau St., which very quickly was filled with new believers. Later on, in 1924, they purchased two parcels of land on Fabre Street where they would later build the first Italian Pentecostal church. During its construction brother Giuseppe Maiorano co-ordinated the construction work. In spite of the difficult economic times, all the members participated in the realization of this project with great zeal and generosity.  

They dedicated the building located at 6724 Fabre Street in 1925. By this`time`the church was comprised of about 100 members, and four years later obtained official recognition from the province of Quebec. From its humble beginning, the church continued to grow numerically. Pastor Giuseppe Antonio DiStaulo remained active in the church until his death in 1954.  

In 1937, brother Antonio DiBiase was elected as the new pastor of the church, which now numbered around 300 people. The Lord graciously added many new souls.

In 1953, brotherAlberico DeVito was elected as Pastor of the church. During his ministry the Lord saved many people, inasmuch that in 1957, it became necessary to enlarge the facilities. They were years of transition, marked by great dedication, sacrifice, and a renewed evangelistic thrust.  

Throughout the years, and not without its trials, the church extended her arms of activity. With evangelistic vision, they began holding services throughout the city which gave birth to other fellowships within the city (Ville Emard, now Rockfield, St. Michel and Emmanuel). It is for this reason that the "Fabre Street Church" is considered the "Mother Church" of the Italian work in Montreal.  

The "Historical roots" of the Rockfield Church have been connected to Fabre Street Church, who from the beginning of her existence, has worked to establish a Pentecostal work not only among the Italian immigrants but also among the Oka Indians, the French Canadians and those of Polish descent.  

In 1929 brothers Antonio Malandra,(who was one of the first assistants), Pasquale Tarnilio, Paolo Sauro, DonatoFasciano and Antonio DiBiase, all members of the Fabre Street Church, began to evangelize the Ville Emard region, where there was a strong concentration of their fellow countrymen. Their first services were held in private homes with brother Costanzo DiStaulo as Pastor.  

The existence and the formation of the Emmanuel Church in Montreal was done in co-operation with the St. Michel church which already existed in the area, a community that was established in 1958 by the Fabre Street Church. Michele Popolillo, together with his wife, took oversight of the evangelistic activities. The church underwent several pastoral changes until 1973, when David DiStaulo was elected as pastor.  

In 1975 the Italian Pentecostal Church of "Emmanuel" came into being. During this same`year`they purchased a parcel of land in Montreal North, where some years later they built the church building known today as "Emmanuel Pentecostal Church". The church of St. Michel continues its own activities to this day.  

In 1969, brotherAlberico DeVito left the pastorate at Fabre Street Church to develop a mission in Europe. In 1970 the church, by now made up of third generation Italians, elected brother Mario   Spiridigliozzi as their Pastor. He remained as Pastor of Fabre Street Church till 1982. They were years of revival and expansion with many evangelistic activities in emerging Italian areas of the metropolis. Again the church facilities were rebuilt and enlarged.  

From 1983 to 1995 brother Joseph Manafo carried out his ministry as Pastor of the church. The work of God continued to prosper. During his pastorate many souls joined the ranks of the saints of God. A French Church and a Spanish speaking group was established during this time. With renewed evangelistic vision, the church acquired other properties surrounding the actual church building. A TV and Radio studio was also established for the purpose of evangelism. Church offices, a Christian Bookstore, and ample space for parking were also secured.

From 1995 to 2010 brother Davide Mortelliti was Pastor of the church coming as assistant in 1993. Under his leadership the role of lay leader continued to be expanded focusing on the development of people for the kingdom of God. During this`time`a new property was acquired in the St. Leonard borough of Montreal which will be used to gather all church activities and ministries under one roof.

At the end of 2010 brother Mario Spiridigliozzi returned and assumed the responsibilities of Senior Pastor on an interim basis until the end of May 2011. He was instrumental during the transition period in assisting the leadership of the church in it's search for a new Senior Pastor.

In June 2011 brother Stefano Gesualdi was elected as Senior Pastor. Having been assistant Pastor in previous years he knows the congregation well. Since his arrival he has put much emphasis on prayer and evangelism. He has been entrusted by God to lead the church to a higher level.

From those humble beginnings in 1920, the Lord by His Spirit has formed an army of thousands of members, from which many have been called and separated to the ministry of the Word and Christian service.

Today, the church is composed of believers of many nationalities and backgrounds.