On Sabbath, October 25, 2025, the Massagno Seventh-day Adventist Church celebrated the 55th anniversary of its inauguration—which took place in October 1970— with emotion and gratitude. This commemoration holds particular significance since the 50th jubilee, which fell in October 2020, had inevitably been overshadowed by the restrictions of the pandemic. Today, the community can finally gather to pay tribute to a journey of faith, passion, and growth that has profoundly shaped the religious landscape of Ticino.
The commemorative day was structured into two distinct yet closely linked moments.
The morning was dedicated to the spiritual dimension, with the Sabbath School session led by Emeritus Pastor Daniello Barelli, who served as pastor of Massagno from 1977 to 1983.
Olivier Rigaud, president of the Federation of French-speaking Switzerland and Ticino, delivered the sermon. In his message, he emphasized the importance of perseverance and trust in divine guidance that has accompanied the Church since its origins, drawing from the text of Acts 5.
After the communal agape, which fostered an atmosphere of conviviality and sharing among the participants, the afternoon transformed into a moment of memory and testimony.
The church elders shared their recollections, tracing the main stages in the development of the Adventist community in Ticino.
Among the themes close to their hearts, the elders shared the determination that drove the first members in their firm resolve to obtain a sacred place dedicated to worship—a space that, over the years, has become a center of life and activities: from youth meetings and conferences to the broad contribution to health reform, which has touched many aspects of society.
Jacques Th. Frei (pastor in Lugano from 1966 to 1970) then recalled the missionary work begun by his father, Pastor Jacques Paul Frei, between 1945 and 1953, and continued by his son, who witnessed the first inauguration in 1970.
All pastors who continued the missionary work with devotion and a spirit of service were also remembered.
The event also included special recognition for the former pastors present on site or represented through messages, along with a video from Pastor Fratianni, whose testimony highlighted the enormous dedication and tireless work invested in nurturing the Adventist movement from Massagno.
Another moving moment was the remembrance of Pastor Ettore Galli and his great commitment to the communities of Lugano, Bellinzona, and Locarno.
So many individual seeds that, thanks to the vision and commitment of numerous believers, have progressively transformed into four communities firmly rooted in the Ticino territory.
In celebrating these 55 years, the Massagno Adventist Church does not merely remember the past: it projects itself with renewed energy toward the future—a future grounded in steadfastness, faith, and a sense of community that, even after half a century, continues to inspire the lives of many faithful in Ticino.
This anniversary thus represents both a moment of reflection and an opportunity for renewal, a privileged occasion to reaffirm the identity and mission of a community that, through challenges and changes, has managed to keep its light and spiritual vocation intact.
The Adventist Church in Massagno is currently led by Pastor Matthias Maag.
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