Strathroy – A Tale of Unity and Challenges

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Testimony of José Ramos Belo on the building of the Portuguese community’s associative movement in Strathroy, Ontario

The history of the Portuguese community in Strathroy, Ontario, is marked by a strong associative spirit, perseverance, and an unwavering dedication to Portuguese culture and traditions. José Ramos Belo, originally from the island of Flores in the Azores and a resident of Strathroy since 1967, is one of the main protagonists of this story, having played fundamental roles in several organizations that have shaped the collective life of the Portuguese in this city.

The Role of the Church: Meeting Point and Community Unifier

When José Ramos Belo arrived in Strathroy, he found a united community whose main reference point was the All Saints church. “The All Saints church was the first meeting point. Mass was held in Portuguese. Father Cunney was Canadian but had spent several years in South America and spoke (Portuguese). He was the one who told us to get together and said the church basement was there for us whenever we needed it,” Belo recalls.

The involvement of the church was decisive in integrating the newcomers, facilitating religious celebrations in Portuguese and creating a space for support. It was also under Father Cunney’s encouragement that the unity of the Portuguese was promoted through the Holy Spirit celebrations. “The first Holy Spirit was in 1972. The party was held there in the Arena and a philharmonic band came from Oakville,” Belo remembers, emphasising the unifying role of the church in the early days.

The Portuguese Club: Foundation, Structure and Activities

The associative movement gained a new dimension with the founding of the Portuguese club in 1977. “The club was founded in 1977. The first president was from the mainland, his name was Óscar Dias. He was a great president, a builder here,” says Belo. From the beginning, the idea was to create an inclusive organisation, representative of all regions of Portugal, given the small size of the community. “We had a director from each island that had people here. I was the representative of Flores,” he explains.

The club developed an intense cultural and sporting activity. Cultural groups were formed and up to five football teams, including girls and juniors. Among the highlighted events was the formation of a folklore group, responsible for taking Portuguese traditions to various regions. Belo also led the organization of a weekly cable television program between 1980 and 1986, which informed the community about diverse relevant topics. “We presented something from Portugal but we did things for the community. We had people who explained our rights, unemployment benefits, WISB, something more informative,” he details.

Belo recalls other important figures for the development of the Portuguese Club, such as João Fonseca (president), António Bettencourt (vice-president). The spirit of mutual help was strong, especially in initiatives to support newcomers, from finding a doctor to assisting with bureaucracy.

Football: Passion and Community Organization

Football has always played a significant role in the social life and integration of the Portuguese in Strathroy. Before the formal foundation of the club, teams existed spontaneously but without much organization. “The person who started football here was Joe Brum. He liked football, he was 10 years old when he came and learned English. He started to organize it. Football already existed before the club, but it was not organized. I think the team didn’t even have a name. They played friendly matches. Teams from Chatham and Leamington would come, and we played against the Dutch as well,” Belo explains.

With the club, football gained structure, coming to include several teams, covering all age groups, and promoting socializing not only among Portuguese but also with other local communities. The men’s team also competed at the highest local level, in the Premier Division of the Southwestern Ontario Soccer League.

The Santa Cecília Band and Cultural Impact

In 1981, José Ramos Belo was the main driving force behind the creation of Strathroy’s first Portuguese philharmonic band, the Banda de Santa Cecília, which he chaired for six years. “In 1981, I helped to organize a philharmonic band as president for 6 years. It was the first Portuguese one here. It was part of the club. The name was Banda de Santa Cecília,” he highlights.

The band had memorable moments, such as the first celebration in honour of Santa Cecília, tragically marked by the death of the club’s president, Marcolino Machado, during the procession. “On that day, during the procession, Marcolino Machado, the club’s president, dropped dead (1981),” Belo recalls. Despite the shock, the celebration continued, demonstrating the community’s sense of mission and unity: “The last thing Marcolino would have wanted was for this to stop. He was deeply committed to this and wanted it to continue always.”

The philharmonic, like the folklore group, represented various regions of Portugal, being a supreme expression of Portuguese cultural pride and identity in Canadian lands.

Challenges, Decline and Reflection

Over the years, the community faced increasing challenges, especially from the 2000s onwards. According to Belo, leadership issues and some incompetence in the club’s management contributed to its stagnation. “The club today is a shadow of what it was. (…) When I joined along with João Duarte, there were none of the financial problems that exist now. There was no credit. We went to the bank, I took responsibility for $6,000, João for $6,000 and Luís Pereira, who was the secretary, for $6,000. We started to have credit. We all had contacts in the community.”

Despite efforts to revitalise the club and restore its relevance, the philharmonic ended up ceasing activity due to internal disagreements. “The philharmonic ended because of silly arguments. When I left the club I felt it was time to go. You need to know when to leave. When I left, I felt the philharmonic went with me, that it would end,” Belo confesses. The folklore group also ceased to operate soon after, thus closing a cycle of sociocultural dynamism.

The Legacy of the Associative Movement in Strathroy

The associative movement in Strathroy, driven by figures like José Ramos Belo, left a profound and lasting mark on the local Portuguese community. The church, the club, football, and the philharmonic were pillars of integration, solidarity, and preservation of identity.

Despite the challenges and the decline of some initiatives, the legacy of unity and dedication remains alive, testimony to the value of the community spirit in building strong and cohesive presence in Canada. As José Ramos Belo reflects, “the president had to be intelligent, to keep quiet many times, to maintain unity.” Despite the struggles, the example of Strathroy illustrates the importance of collective involvement and committed leadership for the success and continuity of Portuguese community organizations abroad.

If you have a story or memory about the Portuguese community in Strathroy, please share it with us via the email contact@lusocanada.com or through our Contact Form