Our History

FDES Monterey traces its beginnings to 1943, when John Morais and a small group of faithful friends devoted to the Holy Spirit organized the Festa that would become known as FDES — Festa do Divino Espírito Santo. Gus Souza was elected the first president, and together with Tom Souza, Tony Souza, Antonio Neves, Joe Mello, John Brazil, John Corvello, John Lucas, Antonio Esteves, John Santos, Pedro Coelho, Joaquim Goulart, and Frank Enos, they established the celebration at the Monterey Fairgrounds through hard work, sacrifice, and devotion.

In those early years, the Festa was simple but deeply meaningful. A priest came to bless the food, though there was no Mass or parade. The first celebration served meat from one cow donated by the Souza Brothers Dairy — Tom and Gus Souza — along with beans donated by Mr. and Mrs. Garcia of Salinas. Even during the challenges of World War II, when ration stamps were needed for gasoline, meat, and other essentials, the community remained committed to keeping the celebration alive.

A Celebration Built on Generosity

The early Festa relied heavily on borrowed supplies. Cooking pots, silverware, crowns, and flags came from the “Old Festa” in Salinas, the San Joaquin Valley, and Watsonville. From 1943 to 1951, holding the celebration at the Fairgrounds brought limitations, including strict time restrictions and modest facilities. Food was cooked and served outdoors, and dances were held in a small hall. Still, through the dedication of officers, directors, wives, and many friends, the celebration continued to grow.

In 1946, the Festa filed its Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State. As the organization grew, members recognized the importance of having a permanent home of their own. A committee was appointed to search for property, and the present site was eventually selected.

Establishing a Permanent Home

On June 30, 1949, FDES Monterey purchased its current eleven-acre property for $11,000. A Quonset hut was moved onto the site, with part of the building used for cooking fish for the celebration and the other half used for storage. Even after acquiring the property, funds were limited, and for several years improvements had to wait. Once again, food was cooked and served outdoors — but now the community was working on land it could truly call its own.

Each successive president and committee worked hard not only to present the Festa each year, but also to pay the mortgage, cover taxes, and save for future improvements. In 1952, the Dance Hall was built, along with a chapel beside it, where the Dance Hall kitchen now stands. The original cement dance floor proved less than ideal, and more improvements soon followed. During 1952 and 1953, the Ladies Auxiliary was organized under the leadership of Marie Goulart. In 1954, the mortgage was refinanced to fund much-needed upgrades, including the installation of the oak dance floor, construction of the addition that now houses the kitchen and barroom, and relocation of the chapel to its present site. By 1960, the mortgage had been paid in full.

Brick by Brick, Year by Year

FDES Monterey continued to expand in the decades that followed. In November 1961, 200 feet of property was sold. In 1962, the Dining Hall and kitchen were built, along with an auction stand, curbs, gutters, and other site improvements. In 1967, the ceiling was installed in the Dance Hall. Over the years, many additional improvements were made, including stucco work, painting, sewer system upgrades, Main Hall improvements, paving, and parking lot lighting.

The small Meeting Hall was built in 1981, and a patio was added in 1988, where auctions are now held. Other later additions included new chairs, tables, draperies, glass entry doors, a speaker system, and a stage mural in the Dance Hall. The Dining Hall kitchen and outside bathrooms also underwent extensive remodeling. In the organization’s 50th anniversary year, new tables and chairs replaced the old tables and benches.

From Humble Beginnings to a Lasting Legacy

What began on rented fairgrounds eventually became a property owned free and clear of debt. That accomplishment reflects the dedication of FDES Monterey’s presidents, committees, families, and countless devotees of the Holy Spirit who contributed their time, labor, and financial support over the years.

From a celebration that began with one donated cow and beans, the Festa grew to serve approximately 7,300 pounds of beef and 1,000 loaves of bread, all made possible through the generosity of ranchers, dairymen, their families, and many other supporters. Until 1992, the celebration also served 700 pounds of marinated fish, fried and served cold, a tradition later discontinued due to rising costs and the scarcity of rock cod.

Today, the Celebration is recognized as one of the largest and most popular Festas do Espírito Santo in California, due in part to the beauty of the Monterey Peninsula, its temperate climate, and the enduring devotion of the community that has sustained it for generations. With the blessings of the Holy Spirit, FDES Monterey continues to honor its heritage while looking ahead to the future.

This history is adapted from the FDES Monterey 50th Anniversary Booklet, published in 1994.