COMUNIDADE DA PARÓQUIA DO SENHOR SANTO CRISTO
Founding Date: 1988
Address:
1100 Kenaston Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1B 3P5
Telephone: 613-741-4087
The idea of building a church for the Portuguese speaking community of Ottawa was merely for religious purposes but, decades later, this structure has also evolved into a major cultural and social landmark. The church serves its religious functions on the top floor while the social and cultural gatherings occur in the basement.
The building was founded in 1998 by Father Octavio Cidadao to offer the community with a proper place to attend mass on weekends. Prior to its construction, the Portuguese gathered at a community centre where the religious cerimonies were conducted. This new structure has allowed for a tremendous growht and unification of the community by offering additional social and cultural opportunities to all members of the parish. Built with the sweat and sacrifice of Portuguese men and women, the parish church is a physical sign of union and devotion to a culture and a cause. It is here that the festivities in honour of Senhor Santo Cristo (the parish’s patron saint, Our Lady of Fatima, and Espirito Santo are celebrated. The enormous plot of land surrounding the building serves as the outdoor location for the summer festivities.
The banquet hall, in the basement, has a capacity for 450 people and beyond the parish’s sponsored events, it is rented weekly to different individuals or organizations, thus offering a much needed source of revenue to maintain the building.
If you visit Ottawa, pay the Sr. Santo Cristo’s parish a visit. You will be mesmerized to find what dedication really means.

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