Quirino Grilli

Quirino Grilli was born on 25 March 1886, in Ferentino, Frosinone, [his birth records conflict as to actual place of birth - it could also have been Piglio or Serrone, where his parents and siblings lived], oldest child (and only son out of 9 children) of Giacinto Grilli (1852–1940, d. Piglio, Frosinone) and Antonia Angelisanti (d. 1939; Piglio, Frosinone). They grew up in a house in Piglio on Vicolo Ponte Gattone. At the time of migration, he was living at Torino near Ferentino. Family records indicate that when he was confronted with the choice of working in the local ceramics factory (which at the time was making ammunition rather than ceramics), he chose at the age of 14 to instead board a ship, with $8 in his pocket, and go the USA. A few months later either an uncle or an older brother-in-law travelled to America to bring him back home.

On 26 Nov 1909 in Torino, he married Colomba Graziosi (b. 8 Jan 1892, Rome; her sister, Dorotea [Dorothy] married [mn Martella] and lived in Philadelphia). They would have a large family, including, Lodovico (Louis) (1910, Rome–1998; who also entered the ministry); Giacinta Benedetta Maria (Jean) (1912–1996; married Anthony Santo Fratto, 1902–1989); Antonietta Maria (1915–2000; married name McIvain, Levittown); Phoebe/Febe (1917–2006; mn Pellegrino, Hamilton Town); Ellis/Elias (1919–2003); Abner 'Albert' (1920–1984); Naomi (1922–2011, married Francis Zahuranic, Chesterfield; d. Cynthia); Ruth (1926–1927); Matthew (1928–2003); and Emanuel (1930–1980). (Most of the names of Quirino's daughters mirrored his sisters' names.)

Grilli, Colomba and their oldest son Louis arrived in Philadelphia on 14 April 1911 on the SS Taormina, taking up work as a carpenter. They lived next to Colomba's sister and brother in law, the Martellas. Two years previously, Luigi Francescon [q.v.] had spent time in the city (18 April -22 July 1909), a visit which resulted in the conversion of Giovanni Marcucci and his family. From this core group, significant numbers of Italians had received the baptism in the Spirit, and it was possibly among them that Grilli found the experience which would change the direction of his life. [Francescon, Fedele Testimonianza] After his conversion and baptism in the Holy Spirit, he assisted or led in drawing together communities in Bristol, Tacony, Morrisville (PA), Somerville, Trenton, Beverly, Burlington (NJ) and other places, even in Maine.

Grilli was ordained in June 1919 by Marcucci and Francescon, under the auspices of the Assemblea Christiana in Chicago.

In 1926 he personally led the construction of the new Christian Church of the Apostolic Faith in Bristol, PA, working long hours -- the church was dedicated on 30 May 1928. Colomba was an active minister in her own right within the Church, and in 1938 was ordained by the Evangelical Christian Pentecostal Church. Moving to Trenton, New Jersey, they purchased a small home on Williams Street. Emmanuel and his brother Matthew were very active in the musical elements of the church, designing plays and choral concerts. (Emmanuel would later join the American military as a musician). Family memory indicates that Quirino always wore a suit jacket over his shirts. One evening he went to a home for dinner and they wanted him to remove his jacket and he refused to do so, the finally talked him into relaxing and removing the jacket, and as it turned out, his well-worn shirt sleeve had a rip in it. The demands of home, family and church meant that he kept almost nothing for himself.

In 1931, the family was living at 329 Wood St., Bristol, PA. From 1934 to 1940 he was pastor of the largest of Philadelphia's Italian Pentecostal churches (McKean Street) (now called Calvary Temple on 20th Street). In 1940 handed over the pastorate to Alessandro Mauriello, and and took up a pastorate at Somerville (New Jersey) and other churches in the area, living at 633 William St., Mercer, Trenton NJ. The congregation in Trenton had been meeting in homes for some years, before being formally established in 1922. In 1930, dedicated worship space was erected at 66 Vine Street, and was later overseen by Grilli's son, Louis Grilli.

On 23 March 1948, Grilli and thirty other attendees met at Grace Tabernacle, Syracuse, and voted unanimously to form the Italian Branch of the AGUSA. Grilli was elected as the first superintendent and served until 1963, overseeing rapid growth and Americanization. Both he and his wife transferred their ordination at that point to the AGUSA. On December 8, 1951 the IAG was incorporated in the state of New Jersey. It played a key role in raising money, sending missionaries, and supporting publishing and educational work in Italy, particularly with the ADI. While he was head of a growing work, Grilli largely supported himself and his large family in such pursuits as working as a janitor [Census 1950].

From April-June 1955 he visited Italy on Linee Aeree Italiane to visit his sister [Trenton Evening Times 14 Apr 1955 Col. 5].

In 1957, Grilli, his son Louis and Sam Totaro officiated at the opening of the new church at Baker and Anderson Streets, Morrisville, at which time it also changed its name from Christian Church of the Apostolic Faith (a name linked to Grilli's early associations with the Chicago Church) to First Pentecostal Assembly of God Church. [Trenton Evening Times 6 Sep 1957 Last Column] [From 1999 it was again renamed Resurrected Life Church]

Grilli lived a long life, and thus had to endure the departures of more family members than many. His wife Colomba died 13 April 1962, aged 70. In 1969, while Grilli was again in Italy, his grand-daughter, Sherri Lynn (Albert's daughter), was tragically killed in a traffic accident.

Grilli himself died on 9 April 1979 at the St Francis Medical Center in Trenton, New Jersey. A memorial service was held at Yardville Memorial Chapel, Yardville-Allentown Rd. He was remembered both as a passionate believer in the Spirit-filled life, and a humble and warmly relational man.

Family

His son, Matthew, worked for many years at Jays Kiddierama, Bordentown, and Niagara Pools, Voorhees. A United States Army Veteran he was a member of the Bordentown Elks #2085 the former president of Rusling Hose Company former member of the Rusling Hose Ambulance Corps. A musician, he played the trumpet with the Army Military Band and also played bass with the Kings Men Group. He was a member of the Assembly of God Church in Marlton. He was married to Teresa nee Dorio, and was survived by 3 sons and daughters-in-law (John and Beverly Grilli of Newfoundland PA, Christopher and Debra Grilli of Hempstead Texas, Scott and Patricia Grilli of Clayton). He died at Virtua West Jersey Hospital in Marlton and was buried at the Brigadier General Wm. C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Arneytown.

Sources:

Ancestry.com [Gay Parisano Raab, Parisano Family Tree]

Deceased Ministers File; digital archival collection; Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center, Springfield MO.

Francescon, Luigi, Fedele Testimonianza.

Saggio, J., 'A Brief History of Italian Pentecostalism in America', Assemblies of God Heritage 30 (2010), 35-41.

Grilli Family Tree, and family correspondence, https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/tree/80472233/family?cfpid=36425667210. (Particular thanks to the family historian, Quirino Grilli's great grandchild, for sharing family memories.)