Pentecostal Churches. The Pentecostal Movement that emerged in 1901 has spawned some 300 distinct American denominations. Nonetheless, a majority of those who identify themselves as classical Pentecostals are adherents of one of seven denominations. While these share roots in the early twentieth-century revival, they differ insignificant ways in polity, doctrinal emphasis, racial composition, social class and regional appeal. All classical Pentecostals have in common at least one conviction: conversion