St. Frederic Church Information

From a small mission outreach in the opening years of the 20th Century, St. Frederic's has grown to become a vital part of the St. Helens community. Business men, community servants, school administrators and teachers, mill workers, farmers and even government leaders have all been part of our history. The turn of the Century saw three distinct communities - St. Helens, Houlton, and Milton. Today we are one growing community of both long standing families and new. We represent a diverse ethnic community of all different heritage and cultures. Prior to 1908, the faith needs of both Rainier and St. Helens were provided services by pioneer missionaries who responded to sick calls and made periodic visits. Mass was celebrated once a month by Reverend H.J. McDevitt. He was succeeded by Reverend Henry Bruenagel who built churches in both Rainier and St. Helens. The original church was known as St. Mary's Hall and erected in 1911 for $1,437.00. Known as a mission church, during the years of WWI, St. Mary's saw priestly vacancy every three years still filled from the Cathedral in Portland and also by Rev. Dr. Urban Fisher O.S.B of Scappoose. In 1916 Archbishop Christie appointed Rev. William Hampson pastor of both Rainier and St. Helens. The Catholic population declined in Rainier and the parish headquarters moved to St. Helens where the economic climate helped the Catholic population to increase. By the end of the war, there was an influx of Italian families to St. Helens. Descendents of many of these families are still members of the parish. The parish house was built in 1916 at a cost of $900. The estate of John Dolan, donated a house beside the church. The death of Frederick Morgus in September of 1919 and the appointment of Rev. Joseph P. Clancy as pastor of the parish in St. Helens, coincided with the opportunity to erect a new Church building for the growing population of the area. The Morgus family gave a substantial financial contribution to the church, two lots where the church would stand, and the marble ...