Founding Date:	1970
Address:	390 Sinasac Avenue West Harrow, Ontario N0R 1G0
Telephone:	519-738-4021

A dynamic association in the most Portuguese town

Audio Version:

The Portuguese community of Harrow inaugurated its new headquarters just over a decade ago. It’s a landmark that enhances the Portuguese presence in Southern Ontario. 

Delfina Pedro, President of the organization at the time of the building’s unveiling, is one the great engineers of the project. The new hall marks the end of an era in which the involvement of the Portuguese community of Harrow was declining. The new building has a hall with a capacity for 450 people, a smaller room for 45 people,  and a bar with a terrace in addition to office space. 

The first Portuguese arrived in this city to work either in the farms, in factories, or in the construction industry. In 1970, the community had grown to appreciable numbers, a factor that led a group of friends to gather to celebrate the patron of Portugal – Our Lady of Fatima. 

The association had been founded. Still without headquarters and with Humberto Carvalho elected as the first president, the Board met at each director’s homes. 

In 1974, the organization completed the purchase of the current property. It belonged to a German family. The purchase was only possible due to the generosity of the Portuguese families who resided in the area. Each contributed with funds to make the dream possible. 

For the first few years, religious festivities were the pretext to celebrate the old country but, over time, the Portuguese Club underwent a natural evolution. The implementation of social events began to occur and, with this, the formation of a football team that represented the club but that in the meantime ceased to exist. 

The cultural component also had its space with the creation of a folk group. It began with many members who resided in the City of Windsor but these members eventually left. Now, the group is formed solely by members who reside in Harrow. The Rancho began as a separate entity from the club but used the facilities to rehearse. It represents all parts of Portugal. 

At the time of the new building’s construction, the project was estimated at 1.5 million dollars. The new hall not only serves to house the organization’s events but it is also used for many private functions.

With files from Luso-Ontario Magazine, 2008

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