Artesia News

Portuguese in Artesia

Artesia DES was founded in 1927 with the idea to promote the traditions of the Portuguese in Artesia. It came about after the founding of the Holy Family Catholic Church in 1925 by the Portuguese Community and by Father Manuel Vicente, its first Pastor. The first Festa do Divino Espirito Santo (DES) was held in 1927. Mass was said at the Holy Family Church followed by a parade to the same site that the Artesia DES is at today. Circus tents were used as a temporary shelter to serve the "Sopas do Espirito Santo" until the hall was built in 1935. The Holy Family Church was subsequently moved to its present day site in 1960. If you are still wondering, D.E.S. stands for Divino Espírito Santo (Divine Holy Spirit).

In 1974, the Artesia DES went through a massive re-organization due to the ideas of a growing number of immigrants that came primarily from the Azores who wanted to become more active in the community. This re-organization included gathering paying members to the club, writing up by-laws, forming a General Assembly of Members, and electing a new Board of Directors yearly. This re-organization helped make Artesia DES one of the most successful Portuguese societies in California. In 1983, Artesia DES went through a massive renovation. This re-modeling included a new chapel, a new band room, a new soccer club, a new dining hall, and a renovated bull arena.

The main goal of the Artesia DES hall is to promote Portuguese pride and heritage through the many diverse activities held year round. The organization's main function nowadays is to maintain the Artesia D.E.S. Band and the Artesia D.E.S. Soccer Club. These two groups, especially, help the throng of Portuguese youth get involved in their community and promote leadership skills that will promote Artesia DES well into the future. This site is dedicated to all the men, women, and children who helped build up the Portuguese Community in Artesia through this organization as well as those who are maintaining it today.

www.artesiades.org

 

 

 

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