A BRIEF HISTORY OF EARLY MALTESE IN TORONTO

By Richard S. Cumbo and John P. Portelli

Note:

The research for the information about the early Maltese in Toronto (up to 1930) was completed as part of a project supported by a research grant awarded to Professor John P. Portelli, by Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Professor Portelli and Mr. R. Cumbo are currently pursuing further research with the aim of publishing a book about the Maltese experience in Canada. The following is printed with the kind permission of Professor John P. Portelli. Summer, 1997

Until the beginning of this century, Maltese emigration was almost exclusively restricted to neighbouring countries especially in North Africa. The lack of success or even interest of Maltese emigration to distant countries until the turn of the century has been attributed to language and cultural "barriers". However, in the 19th century there were a few Maltese who ventured to experience life in Canada which at that time was at its inception as a country. The most known among these is Louis Shickluna (1808-1880) who in 1838 settled in St. Catherines, Ontario. There he leased a shipyard on the Welland Canal and constructed over 100 ships which were used on the Great Lakes. Other Maltese who settled in Canada in that century included Alphonse Vassallo (1863-1921) and Vincenzo Mifsud (b. 1881). While in 1900 Mifsud settled in British Columbia where he worked with Canadian Pacific Railway, Alphonse Vassallo settled in Nova Scotia where in 1888 he owned and managed a hotel in Sydney. In the 1890's a group of Maltese farmers, primarily from Zebbug, Rabat and Gozo, settled in Windsor, Ontario.

At the turn of the century, European emigration to Canada increased quite rapidly. In 1912-13 we encounter the first Maltese official attempt to organize the emigration of Maltese men to Canada under the direction of Dr. Charles Mattei. It is estimated that between 1911 and 1920 over 2,000 Maltese emigrated to Canada and settled in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and Winnipeg (where about 300 Maltese were settled by 1913). However, it was Toronto and its vicinity which attracted the largest number of Maltese immigrants. In this part of Canada the connection between the development of the Maltese community and the support from the Catholic Church seems to have been present from the early days. Several Maltese Catholic priests, who were living in Canada or in the United States, had shown a genuine interest, concern and care for the Maltese immigrants in Toronto and towns close to it. These priests include: Fr. A. Tabone S.J., Fr. Aurelius Catania, Fr. Fortunatus Mizzi O.F.M. Cap., Fr. Giacomo Baldachino O.F.M. Cap., Fr. Fulgentio Grech O.F.M. Cap., Fr. Eugenio Fiteni O.S.A., Fr. Alphonse Cauchi O.S.A., and Fr. P. Gauci. The visits of these priests had helped to sustain and foster both their Roman Catholic faith and their sense of community.

The early Maltese in Toronto, who numbered about 200 in 1916 and 400 by August of 1917, were settled primarily in two areas. One community could be found living in the vicinity of St. Patrick's Shrine Church and the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel at McCaul and Dundas Street West. In 1908 the latter church had become an Italian National Parish. The hall of St. Patrick's Church was used by immigrants for several social events. The facilities of these religious edifices were used by the Maltese for their social and religious functions. The other community was (and still is) in West Toronto "The Junction" at Dundas Street West and Runnymede Road.

The closest Roman Catholic Church, which these early Maltese families frequented, was St. Cecilia's on Annette Street. The church was also home to an active Jewish community. The old synagogue Knesseth Israel still exists on Maria Street.

The following are some of the names of the early Maltese families in Toronto: Abela, Attard, Baldachino, Bonello, Borg, Bonnici, Bugeja, Buhagiar, Cachia, Caruana, Cini, Coleiro, Debattista, Debono, Ebejer, Farrugia, Fenech, Formosa, Galea, Gauci Micallef, Mifsud, Pace Asciak, Saliba, Sammut, Sant, Sapiano, Schembri, Sciberras, Scicluna, Vassallo, Vella, and Zammit.

The earliest record of a Maltese priest to have shown an interest in helping Maltese immigrants in Toronto is that of Fr. Aurelius Catania, who in 1913 while serving the Italian community at the Church of the Assumption in Daphne, Alabama, wrote to Rev. J.T. Kidd of the Chancery Office of the Archdiocese of Toronto offering to serve among the Maltese in Toronto. Fr. Catania, who had been in the United States since 1909, eventually served the Maltese in Brantford, Ontario where he was assistant to the Pastor of St. Basil's Church between 1917 and 1920. The earliest record of a Maltese priest actually assisting the Maltese in Toronto is that of Fr. A. Tabone S.J., who was then living in Guelph, Ontario and who in June 1914 conducted a retreat for the Maltese in Toronto at St. Mary's Church at Bathurst and Adelaide Streets. But Fr. Tabone must have visited Toronto earlier for a letter dated February 8, 1914 addressed to the Archbishop of Toronto refers to a Maltese Jesuit who visited Toronto for the first time. There is no doubt that the author of this letter, who signs "C.C.", is writing on behalf of other Maltese in Toronto. The letter said that the Maltese, who were starting to compare themselves to other ethnic groups, felt the need to form a Society to help them with their religious and other needs as well as obtain recognition as a group. The author of this letter felt that this couldn't be accomplished without the Assistance of a Maltese priest.

Until 1916 the only recorded effort of the Maltese in Toronto to organize themselves as a group is that of the Holy Name Society Maltese Branch. The Annual Report of the Secretary of the Archdiocesan Holy Name Union, dated February 14, 1916, refers to the Maltese Branch and describes it as "practically non-existent, majority of men returned to the island home." It is fair to note that the report on the other non-English speaking branches was equally non-promising.

Another Maltese priest who seemed to have also greatly understood the need of the presence of a Maltese priest among the Maltese in Toronto was Fr. Fortunatus Mizzi (1880-1945), a Capuchin priest from Valletta, son of Dr. Fortunatus Mizzi and brother to Dr. Enrico Mizzi, former Prime Minister of Malta. Fr. Fortunatus came to Canada in 1906 and lived in Ottawa where he founded the Italian Church of St. Anthony of Padova. He was also in charge of the Franciscan Third Order, and taught mathematics at the Franciscan College. In the summer of 1916 Fr. Fortunatus visited Toronto and at the request of Archbishop McNeil submitted a detailed and passionate memorandum about the conditions of the Maltese in Toronto and the need for a Maltese priest in Toronto, especially since most of them were unable to confess either in English or Italian. Fr. Mizzi visited Toronto again in August 1917 when he heard confessions at St. Patrick's Church and St. Cecilia's Church, and possibly also in 1919 when he may have given a Mission to the Maltese in Toronto. The only other recorded visit of his to Toronto is in April of 1922 when he was on his way to Detroit to assist at a Mission.

By 1919 it seems that the Maltese in the downtown area of Toronto mixed well with the Italians in the area. A Maltese, Paul De Battista, was employed as a cook with the Redemptionist Fathers of St. Patrick's. Fr. Vigilante, A Redemptionist and Pastor of the Italian Parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, according to the Catholic Register, had learned enough Maltese to be able to hear confessions. And from 1920 onward it seemed that the Maltese had an annual Mission delivered by a visiting Maltese priest.

In April 1920, the Mission was conducted by Fr. Giacomo Baldachino, a Capuchin. The Missions in May, 1922 and April 1923 were given by Fr. Fulgentio Grech, a Maltese Capuchin who came from Ottawa. The Redemptionist Fathers were extremely supportive of the needs of the Maltese in Toronto and they readily supported such Missions, in fact the visiting Maltese priests generally stayed with the Redemptionists.

It is within the above mentioned context and very probably inspired by one of these visiting priests that in September of 1922 a group of Maltese men met in a house or hall on Simcoe Street and founded the Maltese Society of Toronto (Canadian was added on at a later date). The co-founders of the Society were: Emmanuel Borg, Anthony Debatisse, Anthony Scicluna, Joseph Vassallo Sr., and John Zammit. Two or three other gentlemen could be considered as co-founders, however, they were not present on that eventful day in 1922. Among the earliest documented activities of the Society we find the farewell banquet on August 9, 1926 to Rev. Paolo Gauci, secretary to the Bishop of Malta and delegate to the Eucharistic Congress of Chicago in 1926, who had paid a visit to the Maltese "colony" in Toronto. This event took place at the Circolo Colombo Club located on St. Patrick's Street. At the head table were three Redemptionist priests, as well as J. Grittani, A. Scicluna and J. Grauy. A purse of gold and other gifts were donated to Fr. Gauci. Another activity organized on September 24, 1926 was a performance given by the Maltese Amateurs to the Maltese Catholics in St. Patrick's Hall. The aim of this performance and other of the kind were to raise funds in order to have a Maltese-speaking priest live in the community who will administer to their needs. Such a priest was eventually to be Fr. Alphonse Cauchi O.S.A.

Fr. Cauchi, D.D., J.C.L. (1880-1943) after having been Regent at St. Mark's Augustinian College, Rabat, Malta (1917-1920), and taught Canon Law at St. Monica's College, Rome (1920), in 1921 came to the United States where he worked with Maltese immigrants in New York and Detroit. He visited Toronto for the first time in 1925. During this visit he looked after the spiritual needs of the Maltese who seemed to have welcomed hem very enthusiastically. In early January 1927, Fr. Cauchi gave a Mission to the Maltese. In the summer of 1928 Fr. Cauchi was invited by Archbishop McNeil to conduct a series of spiritual exercises for the Maltese in Toronto. It was on this occasion that the Archbishop invited him to come and work with the Maltese in Toronto.

Archbishop McNeil, who understood the needs of the Maltese community in Toronto and supported the idea of having a Maltese priest in Toronto on a permanent basis, was instrumental in getting Fr. Cauchi to aid the Toronto Maltese community. However, one has to also mention the very active role of the Maltese Canadian Society of Toronto on the success of obtaining a Maltese priest to serve the Maltese community in Toronto. On January 21, 1929, John Giordmaine of 55 Kane Avenue, Toronto, writes to Archbishop McNeil on behalf of the Maltese club in Toronto in order to have a meeting with him with regard to Fr. Cauchi. On March 14, 1929, Carmelo Baldachino, the President of the Society, which was then also known as the "Toronto Maltese Club" or just the "Maltese Society," wrote on behalf of the Maltese community to Archbishop McNeil, once again asking for a permanent Maltese priest.

It is worth noting that President Baldacchino (or Baldacchine) was writing from 517 Quebec Avenue, in the "Junction," but he mentions the Society meeting, which had just taken place on Simcoe Street (downtown Toronto). On April 8, 1929, President Baldacchino wrote (this time writing from 3244 Dundas Street West) to the Archbishop asking for details of the arrival of a Maltese priest. It appears that on March 30th, the Society had a communiqué that a priest was forth coming. Fr. Cauchi actually arrived in Toronto on July 7, 1929 accompanied by Mr. E. Bonnici, who had come to welcome him in Montreal. Fr. Cauchi was welcomed at Union Station by a representation of the Society including President Baldacchino and several of the Committee members.

Soon the two Maltese communities became divided as to where a church should be built. Since land in the "Junction" was more reasonable, a "Junction" site was chosen. Under the direction of Fr. Cauchi, the Society along with input from the community was able to select a plot of land for the future church. The first St. Paul the Apostle Maltese Church was literally built by the members of the active communities. The strong determination and dedication involved with the erection of the building during the depression was an enterprising saga. However, in 1931 the basement of the Church of St. Paul the Apostle was fully completed. The histories of the two institutions were closely woven together, and for many years the Society was known as "il-Kazin tal Knisja" (the Church's Club). As Fr. Lawrence Attard aptly states in his book "The Great Exodus 1918-39" it was to the great merit of Father Cauchi and the faithful parishioners that both the Maltese Parish of St. Paul and the Maltese-Canadian Society were to prove to be two very useful and permanent fixtures in the history of the Maltese presence in Toronto".

In 1934, when Toronto was celebrating its centenary, the float organized by the M.C.S.T.'s "Knights of Malta" committee, won first prize. The trophy may be viewed in St. Paul the Apostle Convent, at 3224 Dundas Street West, Toronto. In is interesting to note that in 1984, the Melita Soccer Club won first prize for their float in Toronto's Sesquicentennial.

It was not until the mid-forties that the majority of Maltese moved to the "Junction" area. Newer immigrants preferred settling in the "Junction" to be close to their Church and Maltese businesses. Up until the 1940's, the "downtown" Maltese were still using the facilities of St. Patrick's Church for some events.

However, the main community was well established around St. Paul's Church. In 1943, Father Alphonse Cauchi at the age of 63 died after a lengthy illness. He will always be remembered for his tireless efforts, his generosity, and the love of his community. Father Alphonse Cauchi, O.S.A., is buried at St. Augustine's Seminary in Scarborough, Ontario.

Through the efforts of the M.C.S.T., money and supplies were collected for beleaguered Malta during the Second World War. During the Presidency of Mr. Angelo Cutajar, the M.C.S.T. was in charge of the "Malta Relief Fund" in Canada. Father Cauchi had been made Honorary Chairman of the fund in 1942.

Because the large influx of immigrants after the Second World War, a larger church was needed. The Maltese-Canadian Society of Toronto through its members and the community played an integral role in the erection of the new church. The cornerstone of the new church was laid in 1955 and the church was completed in 1956. It was during this time that St. Paul's was designated a parish by the Archdiocese.

Due to its deep involvement with the church, the name "Maltese Society of Toronto" was engraved along with other benefactors on a large stone slab at the entrance to the new church. The Society was also instrumental in the erection of the halls and convent. The former were completed in 1960. At times individuals wonder why the Society does not have it own premises. The main reason is that all of the money collected during the early years (right up until the mid-sixties) was directed toward supporting St. Paul the Apostle Church. Father Lawrence Bonavia, will long be remembered as being the driving force behind the new St, Paul's building project. This good Father is a life-member of the Society. Society members and some of the Founders of the Society were members of the fund raising committee.

Through the fifties and sixties the Maltese-Canadian Society of Toronto prospered. At the same time the community had grown immensely, and many other clubs have been formed since the 1960's.

The Society continued to prosper and served the Maltese-Canadian community endlessly. In 1968 the membership was able to acquire the rental of a spacious club. Prior to this, Committee members used to meet in their own homes. St. Paul's Hall was used for Society events. Some of the main events organized by the Society include: Miss Malta Pageant, Fiera Maltija (Maltese Fair), Carnival dances, outings to shrines, picnics, children's Christmas parties, theatrical plays and other social events, as well as displays promoting Malta.

In the late 1960's the M.C.S.T. organized a marching band under Mro. Paul Gauci. For three years this band performed for the community at various M.C.S.T. events. In 1971, the band members decided to branch out on their own and formed the now popular and successful Malta Band Club, Inc.

Up until the early 1980's an immigrant aid centre in the club served the community. It also provided information about facilities available in Toronto. In the past, during the high Maltese migration period, the Maltese Government used to send the Society a list of incoming migrants so that they could be met and assisted.

The Society was originally responsible for organizing Maltese National Day Celebrations in Toronto. These celebrations had been conducted since the 1940's. In 1966, President Frank Savona obtained a proclamation from Toronto City Hall and for the first time in Toronto, the Maltese flag was proudly raised in Nathan Phillips Square at Toronto's new City Hall. Due to the many other Maltese clubs in the community, a Malta National Day Committee (now presently the Maltese Canadian Federation) was formed in 1974 so that all clubs could participate with the M.C.S.T. in preparing for national types of celebrations.

The Society is governed by an Executive Committee elected by its membership. These are all volunteer workers. It also has a Life-Membership Award, an honour bestowed upon M.C.S.T. members who have devoted their time and energy to the preservation of the organization.

The M.C.S.T. is totally dependent on the proceeds from its main events and donations for its capital. In the past it did receive one-time grants from the Federal and Provincial Governments.

At present the Society is mainly geared toward providing a meeting place for it's members, preserving its illustrious history, organizing events, displays and the popular Miss Malta Pageant. The works of the benevolent organization were consecrated to the Sacred Hear of Jesus in 1969 during the Presidency of Chev. John R. Cordina.

A momentous day for all Maltese in Canada, was the joyous celebration of the Society's 50th Anniversary. Thousands of Maltese-Canadians converged on West Toronto to view a spectacular and colourful parade. The majority of Maltese clubs in Ontario participated in this historic event. A government grant was presented to President Chev. Alfred Goggi, O.S.J. to help defray some of the expenses.

In 1973 the Society secretary, Richard Cumbo, spent a year chronologically organizing all the old files and documents of the Society. In 1974 with an agreement signed by President Alfred Goggi and the Public Archives of Canada, these records were flown to Ottawa. Information on the M.C.S.T. and Maltese groups may be found in the Public Archives of Canada, the Roman Catholic Archdiocesan Archives of Toronto, the Archives of Ontario, the Multicultural History Society of Ontario, the City of Toronto Archives, and other institutions. Since the early 1970's the Society has encouraged other Maltese organizations to submit records and files to various archival institutions.

During the mid-1970's the Society suffered a bleak period. However, In April, 1977 a new Committee was elected, and re-establishing the society to its former glory self commenced immediately. It is hoped that one day the M.C.S.T. will acquire its own premises. In May, 1982 the Society was incorporated through the assistance of lawyer Paul Zammit of the firm Zammit, Dash and Semple. Father D.J. O'Neil (parish priest of St. Paul's at the time) instituted the incorporation procedures in 1950. However, it appears that this has not been finalized.

For it's 60th anniversary, the Society received a Government of Ontario grant. Richard Cumbo produced the first written publication of the Society's historical past. The publication contained many old photographs.

Along with other Maltese organizations, the Society (which is the oldest Maltese Association in North America) is contributing to the aspirations and goals of all Maltese-Canadians.

In 1997, the Society joyfully celebrated it's 75th Anniversary with a Mass of thanksgiving at the church it helped erect - St. Paul the Apostle Maltese National Church. Music by the Malta Band Club, Inc., a reception and other activities were planned to celebrate this anniversary.

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