Filipino evangelical Christians of Winnipeg 1972-1994 Part 2

by Levy Abad

	The former Salem Reformed Church. Source: Manitoba Historical Society - Gordon Goldsborough

I searched online for the history or narrative of the Filipino evangelical Christians of Winnipeg from 1970 to the 1990s and found no information. While hanging out at Garden City Food Court with Kuya Danny Henson, Jun Camaclang, Bishop Ruel Camia of Unida-Winnipeg, and Winnipeg El Shaddai founder Juanito Camungol, I asked about the church at 235 Andrews Street (corner of Burrows Avenue), which was dedicated in 1907 and was the former building of the Salem Reformed Church. One of them shared that in the early 80s, there were about 100 attendees, mostly from Cavite. This was also confirmed by Isagani Bartolome, who attended that church in the early 90s.

Beginnings, goodbyes & growth

Orli Marcelino, a pioneer of the Broadway Disciples United Church, recounted that the pastor of that church in 1983 was Rolando “Rolly” Paraiso. When Pastor Rolly left in August 1991 for Vancouver, it was his brother-in-law, Pastor Rodd Cristin, who arrived in the same year (1991), who took over as lay pastor of a group that separated from the merger of the Community Christian Church and the Filipino United Christian Church at Andrews Street. This group, led by Ptr. Rodd gathered at 366 Church Avenue in the 90s. Ptr. Rodd is now the pastor of Christ the Saviour Christian Church – Winnipeg (49 Euclid Street). Orli Marcelino remembers that they were a Charter signatory of that church. Curious about what Ptr. Rodd had to say, I messaged him on Facebook to inquire about the name of the church and learned that it was called the “Community Christian Church” (Churches of Christ). I also found a 2025 post that Ptr. Rolly has been conferred Doctor of Theology by Alpha College for Theological Studies.

Ptr. Rodd added that the merger mentioned earlier would eventually be solely known as the Filipino United Christian Church (FUCC) in 1986, pastored by Dave Alvarez in the late 80s and later, by Ptr. Socrates Herrera. Filipino United Christian Church is currently located at Pritchard Avenue (R. Crispin, February 27, FB Messenger).

Going back to the information that was shared by Orli Marcelino, he added that he and his family attended the Community Christian Church for a year and by 1984, joined the Home Street Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), where there were several Filipino members. Among them were the three garment workers who were pioneers from 1969: Ning Escolastico Wong, Gloria Caparros, and Lita Crispin. Eventually, Nesty Concepcion, Linda Manalang, Rolando Manalang, and Bert, joined the church. By the second half of the 90s, Home Street Christian Church became a multicultural congregation with 90 per cent Filipino members. The Church would be led by Pastor Ray Cuthbert, who is married to Grace Clavecilla (Source: The History of Broadway Disciples United Church, 10th Anniversary: The Disciples in Winnipeg, p. 8).

In my conversation with Bishop Ruel Camia on March 2, 2026, he recalled that from that church in 1983, one can trace the origin of some of the churches today in Winnipeg. He also asserted the importance of chronicling the story of the Filipino evangelical community.

In my previous article in Pilipino Express “Filipino evangelical Christians of Winnipeg Part 1,” it was discussed that as early as 1973, Pastor Noel Lapatha and his wife, Pastor Rosina, pioneered the Filipino Evangelical Fellowship, which by 1983 would give birth to the Filipino Evangelical Church (FEC) at Ellice and Spruce. According to Ptr. Rosina, FEC would sponsor Pastor Angel Ignacio on June 17, 1990. Ptr. Ignacio was appointed as a full-time minister for two years but eventually moved to a church in Mexico (The Book of Memories, 25 Years of God’s Faithfulness, p. 12).

Other churches

Noteworthy to mention that in 1986, there was a Filipino Baptist Church that gathered at 39 Gainsborough Cove, with more or less 35 members led by Pastor Dann Pantoja (Philippine Echo, August 1986). Ptr. Dann Pantoja reckons that he and his wife were instrumental in planting the Filipino Baptist Church of Winnipeg (March 4, 2026, Messenger). He added that Pastor Amor Ruba would take over serving the community in 1989. The seed that grew in Gainsborough Cove is currently known as The Living Christ Community Church (TLCCC).

For comments or suggestions, please email lev67.abad@yahoo.ca.Stay tuned for Part 3. Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!