About US

Our story began with Reverend Angel Villamil Ortiz. On his way to fulfill his calling as a missionary in Peru, God led him to spend some time in New York City. During his 15 month stay, he was pivotal in helping to lead and organize a church plant that would cater to the Spanish speaking population in Spanish Harlem. He worked tirelessly to ensure that this church plant would be recognized by The Christian & Missionary Alliance. After prayer and hard work, this church  was incorporated on April 5, 1929, under the name  First Christian & Missionary Alliance Spanish Church. At this historical point, Pastor Jose Franco was appointed to lead the church which was located on 44th Street and 8th Ave. Years later, following God’s direction, the church acquired property in 114th St and Madison Ave.  Finally, after a time of growth and expansion, and under the leadership of Pastor Vincent Vallejo  the church sold the property in 114th St. and purchased another property in 107th St. between Lexington and Third Ave. in Spanish Harlem. In 1957 construction started on 155-157 East 107 St. on February 22, 1958, the construction was completed and on March 6. 1958 the church was inaugurated.

Rev Benito Huamani served as a pastor from 1959 to 1988. Under his leadership, many Missionary Candidates heading to Hispanic countries were introduced to the latino culture, learning the language and enjoying the food. Over the past eighty-eight years, the neighborhood has undergone substantial changes. This church has been present throughout it all. Through the decades which brought the economic uncertainty of the Great Depression, the social upheaval of the two World Wars, and the political unrest of the sixties and seventies God used this church as a light for the community. When the eighties and nineties ushered in a time of drugs, gang violence, and poverty, God used this church to provide love, comfort, and hope for the future. God has planted a vision of love in the hearts of the pastors of this church and a willingness to serve the community no matter the odds.

Pastor Rev. Jorge Ibanez began his ministry in Sept. 1988. Under his leadership, the church built a new facility which was inaugurated in 2007. Our Pastor, Rev. Ibanez, often reminds us that with or without a building we were sent to do God’s will. He gently reminds us that while we are eagerly anticipating a beautifully completed building, it is far more important that we reach others and make disciples for Christ. We have been blessed to see wonderful changes God has done in the lives of so many people in Spanish Harlem over these past eighty years. As we reminisce on what God has accomplished through this church we can’t help but be excited about what God has in store for us in the next 80 years. We can’t help but to dream and pray that we will continue to solidify the vision God gave this church. We believe and we are committed to bringing everyone to Christ, teaching them to worship God, to live a new life in Christ and to share this life with others. We also look forward to finishing the second floor and implementing new programs to reach our neighbors and community for Christ.  After eighty-eight years we can say with certainty: God’s faithfulness truly is eternal.

Rev. Jorge Ibanez retired on March 2019 while the church celebrated its 90th Anniversary. The church began the process of praying and seeking the Lord's direction for an new Pastor. Our Prayers answered right before the Pandemic hit in March 2020, Pastor Antonio Mottola accepted the position. The Church waited 2 years for his paperwork to process, the pandemic to end. Tony and his Family finally came to the United States to live and begin working on July 1, 2022. Tony was finally installed as Pastor of the church on September 24, 2022. 

Our story continues... there's more to come! Watch, taste and see that the Lord is good!