St. Helen was the first Catholic Church established in
Indian River County. Father Rupert Gabriel of the Order
of St. Benedict celebrated the first Mass in June
of 1919 at the home of Louis Schlitt on 22nd Avenue. For six
months, Mass was said every other week in Mr.
Schlitt's home. A wood frame Chapel was constructed in
December of 1919. This chapel is now located just north
of the Christian Living Center and currently
serves as our kindergarten classroom.
In 1925, the Right Reverend Monsignor Michael
Beerhalter, from Fort Pierce, succeeded Father Gabriel,
ministering to the needs of the parishioners.
The first resident pastor, Reverend Michael Mullally,
was assigned to St. Helen in the fall of 1929.
Under his administration St. Helen Catholic
School was established. The Sisters of St. Dominic
of Adrian, Michigan assigned Sister Immaculate, O.P.,
(Principal); Sister Anselm, O.P., and Sister William
Ann, O.P. to the Parish and the school opened on
September 16, 1940 with an enrollment of 27
students.
Reverend Patrick O'Brien was assigned as the second
pastor of St. Helen in 1950. It was under Father
O'Brien's administration, that the present church
was constructed, and the present Rectory acquired.
Father John F. McKeown became the third pastor at St.
Helen in 1954. During his administration, the stained
glass windows, the lights and the beautiful
Italian statues were added. A new four room
classroom building and convent were also constructed.
In keeping with the growth of the Catholic population in
the northern end of the county, Father McKeown built the
mission church of St. William in Sebastian.
Reverend Hugh J. Flynn served as pastor of St. Helen
from 1964 to 1969. Under his administration, the
St. Helen Harvest Festival was begun and St.
Helen's Service Center, a multi-purpose facility,
was constructed in Gifford.
Reverend John B. O'Hare became the pastor of St. Helen
in 1969. Under his direction, the present Parish
Center became a reality.
In 1976, Monsignor Irvine Nugent, Rector of the
Cathedral of St. Charles Borromeo in Orlando, as
well as the Vicar General of the Diocese of
Orlando, replaced Fr. O'Hare as the pastor of St. Helen
Parish. Monsignor created an atmosphere of warmth, care, and
comfort among the members of the local community. Under his
leadership of Monsignor Nugent, the rapid growth of the parish
and the expanding needs of the church community were
addressed.
The parish increased the scope and variety of religious instruction
for parishioners of all ages. The old convent building was remodeled
into the Christian Living Center as a focus for faith enrichment
opportunities. The Neighborhood Apostolate program was established to
improve parish life and serve the needy. An excellent ministry
program for the sick was developed.
St. Helen Parish became part of the Diocese of Palm Beach in October
1984.
Father Michael W. Edwards became our seventh pastor in
1999. Under Father Edwards' direction, St. Helen Parish
has dedicated itself to being a Stewardship
Community. Father Edwards continues to challenge
the parish family to accept God’s calling
to be a community of faith focused on using individual time,
talents and treasures to help better His Kingdom.
