About Us

In 1920 Mr. Manuel Oliver Medina saw the need for a common place for the community to gather to celebrate the Festa do Espírito Santo, “Festival of the Holy Spirit,” and developed a committee to begin gathering the funds needed to build a ‘Capela’ or Chapel and a community hall. He led his committee throughout California to procure donations although roads were very difficult to travel at the time.

To complete construction work on the Capela, boat owners would leave a crewmember at home paying him 25 cents a ton for his efforts. In 1922 the Portuguese community of San Diego proudly inaugurated the União Portuguesa Açoreana Sociedade do Espírito Santo, which translates to the United Portuguese Azorean Society of the Holy Spirit, Capela or the U.P.A.S.E.S. Chapel and Hall. The Chapel is 1 of only 2 original Portuguese chapels in California.

As more and more Portuguese immigrated to San Diego in hopes of finding better lives for their families, the need for a larger hall was recognized. There were immigrants from the Azores, Madeira, and the mainland continent of Portugal. No matter from what region of Portugal they were from, they were all Portuguese and all were welcomed. The community pooled together resources and acquired financing. The original hall from 1922 was then moved and a new hall was constructed. In 1948 the current União Portuguesa Sociedade do Espírito Santo, which translates to the United Portuguese Society of the Holy Spirit, or U.P.S.E.S. Inc. Hall was opened. Mr. Medina served as the first President and remained so for 51 years.