Established in 1863 by a clandestine pastor from Florence. Methodists only began to receive public support around 1871 and shortly after began to use buildings around Bologna for their services. They moved to this present church in 1885 where they also hold cultural and social events under their present pastor Sergio Ribet.

Chiesa Evangelica Metodista Photos

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About Chiesa Evangelica Metodista

This building backs on to the old city Mint called La Zecca. From 1506 until 1860 Bologna was very much under strict Papal rule. Times changed as a pastor from Florence became the first exception to bend this rule. Although not publicly supported the pastor baptized a little baby girl on 4th October 1863 in one of the main rooms of Palazzo Loup, which is in Piazza Calderini.

For a few years after Methodist pastors clandestinely came to Bologna to preach to their flock only returning to Florence the way they sneaked in, for the obvious fear of being caught. Once the precedent was set though the first public building for their use was inaugurated in 1871 in Via San Vitale for those belonging to the Wesleyan Methodists. They changed locations twice more to Piazzetta Ugo Bassi and then Piazza Malpighi towards the end of 1904.

However, it was only after another short period in 1874 that the first church was built, one such building was noted in a guide of Bologna dating to 1892, and stating that a Methodist church was to be found in Via Carbone on the outskirts of the city.

This present church became home to the Methodists in 1885 having combined their resources from previous buildings around Bologna. As well as their usual Sunday services here they also hold many other cultural and social events.

Quite often missionaries from Africa and Asia are hosted here under their current pastor who is called Sergio Ribet.

The Evangelical church is normally closed during the week although on Thursdays it’s opened to the public and those curious enough to pass by and have a chat. Their approach is quite different than their Catholic counterparts. This is also perhaps shown from less attention paid to Holy icons and religious devotions throughout. Methodists see themselves as more social, thus, the internal decorations here reflect that theme serving to remind people that people themselves are just as important as the religion they practice.

References

http://www.metodistibologna.it