CPAC was founded in 1920 by several former students of Casa Pia de Lisboa, a public institution promoting the rights and protection of children and young people to which the club is linked. The founders were Ricardo Ornelas, David Ferreira, Mário da Silva Marques, António Pinho and Cândido de Oliveira. The “entry onto the scene” of Casa Pia Atlético Clube (1920), initially received with sympathy, in two modalities that immediately prevailed – swimming and football – created enormous discomfort in the Portuguese sporting world, especially in football. , where it caused a profound change in the existing status quo”. (Viriato Camilo)