… And they continuing daily with one accord (in the temple) and breaking bread from house to house did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God(and having favor with all the people). And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Acts 2: 46-47

The beginnings of our church were simple – a handful of earnest sincere, courageous people gathered from house to house, hungry for the word of the Lord.

In the winter of 1933, a young paster and his wife began ministering at prayer services.  Brother Joe and Sister Grinnelli met in the homes of Italian-Americans living in and around the Silver Lake area of Belleville.  As the word of the Lord grew, so did the numbers of people attending these meetings.

One young couple, realizing the necessity for more space, opened their home on Oakwood Avenue in Bloomfield as a steady place of worship.  Here they gathered for a period of about seven months, and during this time, these simple people came to recognize Brother Joe as the provider of their spiritual needs.  His pastoring in Belleville began.  New souls were saved and the “congregation” grew to 35 members.  Feeling they were too many to meet in a home, the brothers and sisters set about to pray and seek a new location.

There was, at this time, a Pentecostal church at 77 Wallace Street in Belleville.  Brother Joe learned this church was being put up for sale, and he called together a meeting of his flock.  After much prayer, guided by the Holy Spirit, they were all in agreement they could assume the financial responsibility of the church.

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.

Psalms 133: 1

Ministers and Ministries of the Christian Apostolic Church 

  • The Christian Apostolic Church was very fortunate to have ministers whose lives were genuinely consecrated to the LORD and His work
  • Brother Joe Grinnelli pastored our church from its beginning in 1933 until the late 1970’s when the LORD called him home to his reward
    • He was very dedicated to the work of the LORD as he pastored the Christian Apostolic Church of Belleville, the Christian Apostolic Church of Jersey City, and also held Monday night teachings at his house
    • His ministry at both churches and his house totaled seven per week!
    • His wife, Sister Laura, taught Sunday School for many years
  • During his ministry, Brother Joe and Sister Laura met Brother Giuseppe Petrelli who was a missionary and great man of God
    • He was a very intelligent, gifted, and consecrated man of God who was really filled with the LORD
    • With the insight, wisdom, and teaching that the LORD had given to him, Brother Petrelli helped lay the foundation for several churches in this area
    • He ministered in churches in the United States and Canada
      • In New Jersey, he ministered in churches in Belleville, Jersey City, Bayonne, Kearny, and Carlstadt
    • Being filled with the word of the LORD and having a special closeness to Him, he wrote many books, teaching in depth about the personality, character and ministry of Jesus Christ
    • His books and teachings are still used ~70 years after theirpublication
  • When the LORD called Brother Joe Grinnelli to his reward, there was a sadness/depression which was felt in Belleville Church
  • The LORD used Brother Victor Lombardo to invigorate and bring renewed life to the congregation
    • He pastored the church from 1980 – 2004
    • A prominent feature in the ministry of Brother Victor was the theme of restoration
    • Being a man of strong faith and character, the church prospered under his vibrant leadership, love, and dedication to the work of the LORD
    • Many souls were attracted to his ministry
    • During this time, the church enjoyed picnics, choir dinners at Christmas time, New Year’s Eve gatherings, church anniversary celebrations
    • During Brother Victor’s ministry, the congregation prospered through an extension and major renovation to the church (1992)
  • Sister Grace Alfieri continued the ministries of our church following Brother Victor’s ministry
    • She pastored the church from 1997 – 2013
    • As with previous ministers, her messages pointed to and uplifted the LORD Jesus
    • She was an effective teacher with notable teachings on end timeswhich were and are very relevant to current times
    • Fellowship gatherings continued which included men and women breakfasts, senior luncheons, and birthday and anniversary celebrations
  • Following Sister Grace, Adam DeSimone who pastored the church during a transitional time in its history
  • Reminiscing the rich history of the Christian Apostolic Church of Belleville which was developed and driven by the Holy Spirit, we pray that the LORD will continue to direct the church and fill the ministries
    • We always want to be dependent on the Holy Spirit rather than man and ask that God’s pure word would be preached and that each service be Spirit-filled
    • Without the Holy Spirit, there is no church

Contributors to the Ministries of the Christian Apostolic Church

  • Over the years, many people have contributed to the ministries of the church
    • Many have taught in the Sunday Schools
    • We have had many members who have been active in missionary projects
    • Others have been active members of the Board of Trustees
    • Many have been active in the music ministries
    • Still, others have contributed countless hours in the maintenance of the church
    • Our church has been very fortunate to have had many volunteers for the ministries of the church
  • Sunday School Teachers (familiar names)
    • Laura Grinnelli
    • Geraldine Dellapi
    • Flora Vincenti
    • Grace Alfieri
    • Jeanette Guglielmino
    • Ruth Marotti (37 yrs.)
    • Marie Giorgio
    • Angela Catalano
    • Lisa Alfieri
    • Stephen Alfieri
    • Judy Jimenez
    • Jonathan Marotti
    • Sharon Lipps
    • Ruth Brudnicki
    • Cheryl Rodriguez
    • Joellen Vitiello
    • Rose Kloss
    • Roma LaRosa
    • Janice Rosamilia
    • Melanie Celeste
    • Eric Smyth
  • Members of Board of Trustees
    • Dominic Marvulli
    • Victor Lombardo
    • Joseph Giuliano
    • Peter Coran
    • Pat Marotti
    • David Giorgio
    • John Bogaert
    • Jonathan Marotti
    • Ralph Alfieri
    • Stephen Alfieri
    • Lisa Alfieri
    • Mark Esposito
    • Eric Smyth
    • Adam DeSimone
    • Ted Granda
    • Mary Keiffer
    • Sharron Giaquinto
    • Dylan Fischer
  • Music Ministry
    • Laura Grinnelli – Organist/Pianist
    • Grace Alfieri – Organist/Choir Director
    • Mary Melillo – Pianist
    • Victor Lombardo Jr. – Pianist
    • Angela Catalano – Pianist
    • Rebecca Ogrodnik – Organist/Pianist
    • Laura Martin – Pianist/Choir Conductor
    • Michael Giorgio – Choir Conductor
    • Stephen Alfieri – Pianist/Choir Conductor/ Worship Leader
    • Judy Jimenez – Pianist
    • Lisa Alfieri – Pianist
    • Jonathan Marotti – Pianist
  • Missionary Projects
    • Grace Alfieri
    • Lisa Alfieri
    • Marie Giorgio
    • Jeanette Guglielmino
    • Mike and Clara Paige (Goodwill Rescue Mission)
    • Stella Granda
    • Mary Keiffer
    • Rose Kloss
    • Chickie DelFino
    • Nancy Filangieri
    • and many others
  • Youth Group Leaders
    • Stephen Alfieri
    • Lisa Alfieri
    • Jonathan Marotti
    • Sharon Lipps
    • Jerry and Joellen Vitiello
    • Dylan Fischer
  • Silent Contributors
    • David and Grace Marotti – worship inspiration
    • Mark Esposito – church renovation/maintenance, water baptisms (Mark the Baptist), maintenance after communion services, cooking and serving for monthly birthday/anniversary celebrations
    •  Maria Esposito – shopping for church supplies, maintenance after communion services, cooking and serving for monthly birthday and anniversary celebrations
    • Rob DiGeronimo – computer/security system maintenance
    • Matt DiGeronimo – recording/computer system maintenance
    • Michael Giaquinto Sr. – heating and air conditioner maintenance
    • Michael Giaquinto Jr. – heating and air conditioner maintenance
    • Kasha Dabek – church cleaning
    • Dylan Fischer – communion service set-up (Pat Marotti also), volunteered for roof maintenance, shoveling snow