View source for Brookfield Gospel Hall, CT

Rocco Cappiello was raised in Danbury, [[Connecticut]], and was saved at Gospel meetings in [[New Jersey]], and returned around 1926-1927 to Danbury to reside, and did tent meetings with Louis Rosanio & Cesar Patrizio in that area, sponsored by the Waterville assembly, which birthed an Italian open brethren assembly known then as Danbury Gospel Hall in 1928, initially renting storefronts.

One of the first to be saved at those meetings was Alexander Pizzo, who served as a correspondent from the mid-1930's thru 1974, succeeded by Jack McGrath of Northville, New Milford.  From an unknown date until 1939, Francis Carboni resided in Danbury, prior to relocating to Long Branch, N.J.  In 1964, the assembly started an annual spring conference, which continued thru at least 1978. In 1968, the assembly moved to an old "Catholic" church in Brookfield, renamed Brookfield Gospel Hall, and gradually phased out of Italian to become a primarily English-speaking assembly, that continues today.

The following is from "Italian Assemblies in North America", published in 1964, unknown author. "Danbury, CT: When R. Cappiello was commended to full time service for the work of the Lord he moved to Danbury in November 1926. He started visitation work with encouraging results. In 1927, L. Rosania came to help and in 1928 a small store was rented and the Danbury Assembly met for the first time. The assembly moved into larger quarters later, but was still called small in 1946 when F. Pizzulli labored there."

Next is from "La Storia Delle Assemblee Italiane In America", authored by F.P. Diorio & J. De Carlo, published in Brooklyn, New York in 1945.  English translation may be obtained from Dr. T.J. Marinello of the Netherlands.

"''Danbury''.  Il frat R. Cappiello venuto in questo villaggio da Orange, N.J., nel Novembre del 1926, avendo deciso di dedicarsi intieramente nell'opera del Signore, comincio a fare qui un po di lavoro di propagazione, col risultato che vari furono interessati ed alcuni professarono salvezza.  Nel 1927 anche il fratello Rosania venne qui per continuare in quest'opera.  Cosi nel 1928 fu aperta la sala per l'Evangelo.  E poco tempo dopo fu ivi stabilita l'Assemblea, la quale dura tuttora e partecipa nelle Conferenze Mensili del Connecticut."

Finally, in the Oct. 1965 issue of ''La Voce Nel Deserto'', there is a brief history of this assembly.  "When R. Cappiello was commended to full-time service for the work of the Lord he moved to Danbury, November 1926.  He started visitation work with encouraging results and in 1927 invited L. Rosania to help him.  Meetings were held in homes.  In 1928 a small store was rented and the assembly met for the first time.  It was in this small store that Alessandro Pizzo first entered and heard the simple Gospel on Noah's ark.  He was convicted by the Spirit and finally converted on December 2, 1928.  Shortly afterwards he, with others, was baptized and the assembly moved to larger quarters.  Lately the Lord has been encouraging this assembly.  Several of Pizzo's sons-in-law have been saved and are a help to the assembly."

=Locations=
* 25 Maple St., Dan. 1928-1929+
* 10 1/2 Maple Ave., Dan. +1931-1936
* 253 Main St., Dan. 1937-1947
* 203 Main St., Dan. 1948-1964
* Danbury Drum Corp., Dan. Shelter Rock Rd. +1963+
* Masonic Hall, 337 Main St., Dan. 1963, 1965-1968
* 164 Pocono Rd., Brookfield 1968-present

=Correspondents=
* Alexander Pizzo @ Danbury +1936-1974
** cousin of Rocco Cappiello
** @ 13 South Ave., Dan. +1937-1949+; 23 South Ave. +1963-1969+
* Jack McGrath @ Northville, New Milford 1974-2002
** @ Route 202, Northville, New Milford, Conn. 06776 - +1974-1975; 343 Litchfield Rd., New Melford Ct., 06776 - 1976-1977
* Jim Batterton, Jr. @ Cornwall Bridge 2007-2020
* Jim Batterton III 2020-present

=Alumni=
* [[Visiting Ministry at Brookfield Gospel Hall, CT]]
* [[Who's Who at Brookfield Gospel Hall, CT]]

=Also See=
* https://brookfieldgospelhall.org/ BGH's website

=Sources=
* OB AAB's 1936-present
* Sheila Silvernail 2-6-2023
* ''Our Record'': 1929-1; 1931-2;
* ''La Voce Nel Deserto'': 1965-10
* ''Light & Liberty'': 1937-3
* ''Italian Assemblies in North America'', 1964.
* ''La Storia Delle Assemblee Italiane in America'', by F.P. Diorio & J. De Carlo.  Brooklyn, 1945.