On April 12, 2025, Seventh-day Adventists from across Italy gathered in the small village of Montaldo Bormida to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first Adventist chapel in the country. The event drew members from churches in Alessandria, Asti, Genoa, Turin, Milan, Florence, Padua, and Rome, marking a significant moment of remembrance and gratitude for the growth of the Adventist Church in Italy.
The Sabbath morning program began with a welcome by local pastor Stefano Calà and a devotional led by Professor Tiziano Rimoldi, a church historian from the Adventist Theological Faculty in Florence. Reflecting on 160 years of Adventist presence in Italy, Rimoldi encouraged attendees to consider how the Church’s faith and mission must adapt to remain effective in today’s world.
Eugen Havresciuc, director of Adventist churches in northern Italy and a former pastor of the Montaldo community, led the offering collection, which will go toward maintaining the historic chapel. In September 2024, the building was officially recognized by Italy’s Ministry of Culture as a site of artistic and historical interest. As a symbol of hope and continued commitment, an olive tree was planted in the chapel garden.
Messages from former pastors were shared, including a note from 97-year-old Domenico Visigalli, who first visited the church in 1952, and Samuele Barletta, who previously served the congregation. Andrei Cretu, president of the Italian Union of Seventh-day Adventist Churches, delivered the sermon, based on Isaiah 43:19–21, urging members to trust God to lead them forward, even through difficult terrain. Music and congregational singing, accompanied by piano and violins, filled the small church with joy and praise.
A Public Celebration and Historical Reflection
In the afternoon, a public ceremony took place in a space provided by the municipality, attended by local citizens and representatives from various Christian denominations. Two carabinieri from the Carpeneto station were present, invited in reference to a 1925 photo showing uniformed officers with muskets near the church’s construction site.
Cretu thanked the local authorities for their support and emphasized the historical importance of the church. Mayor Emiliano Marengo congratulated the Adventist community and affirmed the municipality’s appreciation of the church’s presence and values.
Rimoldi presented a brief history of the Adventist Church, from its 19th-century origins in the United States to its expansion into Italy, including its struggles during fascism and the post-war period.
Calà then shared the history of the Montaldo church itself, beginning with the testimony of Maria Ottolia, the first Adventist convert in the village. Through her efforts, and those of early believers such as Giovanni Battista Ottolia, Federico Orsi, and Teresa Gaggino, a vibrant local church community was established. Gaggino would later donate the land for the chapel, which was constructed in 1925 through the dedication of 26 local members and support from the Adventist Church’s Mission Extension Fund.
From 1925 until his death in 1974, Federico Orsi served as church elder, despite facing opposition from Catholic leaders and government officials who sought to block his official recognition as a minister. Today, the chapel remains a symbol of faith and perseverance, occasionally hosting community and scouting events.
“Let us pray that the Lord may show us what plan He has for the future, not only for the Montaldo chapel, but for the broader witness of the Church in Italy,” said Calà in closing.
The celebration concluded with a group photo and light refreshments, honoring a century of mission, resilience, and faith.
The original article was published on the Hope Media Italia Italian news site. Join the ANN WhatsApp Channel for the latest Adventist news updates.
