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The
first Catholic Church established in Indian River
County was St. Helen. Father Rupert Gabriel of the Order of St. Benedict
celebrated the first Mass in the present parish boundaries in June of 1919
at the home of Louis Schlitt. For six months, Mass was said every other week
in Mr. Schlitt’s home. A wood frame Chapel was constructed in December of
1919. The chapel is now located just north of the Christian Living
Center.
In 1925, the Right Reverend Monsignor Michael Beerhalter from Fort Pierce
succeeded Father Gabriel and ministered to the needs of the parishioners. A
resident Pastor was assigned to St. Helen in the fall of 1929, the Reverend
Michael Mullally, who administered the parish until 1950. Under his
administration, the school was established. The Sisters of St. Dominic of
Adrian, Michigan, assigned three Sisters to staff the school: Sister
Immaculate, O.P., Principal; Sister Anselm, O.P.; and Sister William Ann, O.P.
The school opened on September 16, 1940, with an enrollment of 27 students. In
the 1950, the Reverend Patrick O’Brien was assigned as the second pastor of
St. Helen. Under his administration, the present church was constructed. Since
then, the following Pastors have served:
Reverend
John F. Mc Keown 1954-1964
Reverend
Hugh J. Flynn 1964-1969
Reverend
John B. O’Hare 1969-1976
Monsignor
Irvine Nugent 1976-1999
Reverend
Michael W. Edwards 1999-Present
During Father Mc
Keown’s administration, the stained glass windows, the lights and the
beautiful
Italian statues
were added. A new four-classroom
building and
convent were also constructed. |
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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.
From
1964 to 1969, Reverend Hugh J. Flynn was pastor. Under his administration,
St. Helen Harvest Festival was begun and St. Helen’s Service Center, a
multi-purpose facility, was constructed in Gifford.
From 1969 to
1976, the pastor was Reverend John B. O’Hare. Under his direction, the
Parish Center brought into reality.
St. Helen
Parish became part of the new Diocese of Palm Beach in October 1984.
During Father
Mc Keown’s administration, the stained glass windows, the lights and the
beautiful Italian statues were added. A new four-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.
From 1964 to
1969, Reverend Hugh J. Flynn was pastor. Under his administration, St. Helen
Harvest Festival was begun and St. Helen’s Service Center, a multi-purpose
facility, was constructed in Gifford.
From 1969 to
1976, the pastor was Reverend John B. O’Hare. Under his direction, the
Parish Center brought into reality.
St.
Helen Parish became part of the new Diocese of Palm Beach in October 1984. |
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St. Helen Banner