YMCA in Oporto, Portugal

This lantern slide shows Portugal’s first YMCA, opened by Don Alfredo da Silva in 1891. Located in Oporto (Porto), the site opened with only seventeen members. Silva was a Methodist minister of Portuguese, English, and Norwegian descent in an overwhelmingly Catholic country.During World War I, the British YMCA served Portuguese soldiers. However, the language barrier quickly lead to the request that Portuguese-speaking secretaries enter the field. Toward this cause, the British furnished six huts and nine tents, but they could only give minimal financial support. Portuguese financial aid was not expected because of the adverse religious sentiment, and so the United States appropriated funds, secured personnel, and plunged into relief work with the Portuguese army. Of the twenty-three secretaries sent with the Portuguese Army, half were American and the rest were British, Portuguese, or Brazilian. In 1974, the Portugal YMCA became a member of YMCA Europe. Oporto is the second-largest city in Portugal. Its settlement dates back to the Roman Empire, and the city is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of Portugal's internationally famous exports, port wine, is named for Porto, since the metropolitan area is responsible for the production and export of the fortified wine.Text on border reads, "YMCA Bldg O. Porto Portugal.