By 1928 the Americanization Hall was no longer needed for it's original purpose and was sold to the Saint Ambrogio Society.  It was decided to move the building to a vacant lot at the present address of 802 Montague Street about six blocks away.  The move was done over the July 4th holiday in 1929.  It took two days, including an overnight stay at the top of the hill in front of the Gaziano house, as the frame building was lifted onto wooden rollers and pulled by a team of horses.

Now that the club had permanent quarters, much remodeling work began.  The front door and masonry stairs leading to the Hall was donated by a Chicago engineering firm and the frame building was then enclosed in brick a trade skill well known to the Italians of that day.  A bar was built into the lower level and later a kitchen was added.  Of course a bocce court was built in the back lot.

During the ensuing years the club sponsored many community events including dances, minstrel shows, and a carnival with rides and activities for the whole family.  The members entertained themselves with sporting events, bocce, cigars, and many card games with names like Pedroni (the Boss), Moda, and Scoba.  Of course there was the annual Feast of Saint Ambrogio including Mass and a procession through the streets of southwest Rockford carrying a replica of the statue of Saint Ambrogio.

In 1999 three bocce courts were constructed and then covered by a protective roof.  These are packed granite dust courts approximately 64x12 ft each.  There is an increase in interest in bocce especially among the younger generation and today there is a waiting list for new teams.

It is this younger generation who will help to inject new life into the organization and help to find new ways to move the club forward with fun and fellowship and contribute to the community as envisioned by the original founders in 1918.

part of the province of Frosinone in the Lazio region.

With over 300 families within the greater Rockford Italian-American community with roots traced to

Click on Image to Enlarge       

The dedication of the Ferentino sister city plaque was one of seven world cities that were honored at the Keeling-Puri Peace Plaza on Perryville Rd near Riverside on International Peace Day.  Some members of Saint Ambrogio were there along with other Italian-Americans.

During the club remodeling project of spring and summer 2010, it was apparent that the old mural of the City of Ferentino attached to the west wall downstairs needed to be updated.  After several inquiries, it was discovered that our own club member, John Licari, had visited Ferentino recently with his family and had taken some photos with a quality camera that was suitable for enlargement into a large mural.  So club member Carl Arco, who is a retired professional photographer, was asked to work with his brother-in-law club member Ron Ingrassia to oversee the fabrication and mounting of the mural.  A Rockford company called Insignia Custom Signs & Graphics was chosen and after approval of the funds by Treasurer Frank Marconi, the mural was installed on July 9, 2010.

  Procession of St. Ambrogio

The annual Feast of Saint Ambrogio is held at the club in mid-August.  It is usually a multi-day event with Sunday Mass at Saint Anthony of Padua Church, an all day Bocce tournament, and lots of food.  A recent Feast included a free Corn Boil, Sausage & Pepper or Beef Sandwiches, Fish Fry, Trippa Dinner, Pasta Dinner, Kids Bocce, Karoke, Tombola & Raffle.

Another very popular event in the Italian-American community sponsored by the Church is the annual Saint Joseph's Altar Feast in Mid-March.  The traditional dinner of Pasta con Sarde or Pasta Milanese is served along with special treats of Italian pastries used to decorate the Altar.  The special meaning of St. Joseph's day is explained by a similar event held at the club on March 19th, 2003 and told by Rosie Scalise Wolford.