St. Helena Roman Catholic Church

“St. Helena R. C. Church, located on Bellefonte Ave. just off the Phila. Pike, was built in 1936. The church was dedicated on Nov. 22, 1936, by Bishop Edmond J. FitzMaurice, assisted by the Rev. John J. Dougherty and other priests. A procession marched around the church as the Bishop blessed the four corners of the building. The Rev. John J. Lynch celebrated High Mass and the Rev. Dr. Wm. Temple preached the sermon. The Bishop explained that the church was named in honor of St. Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great, the first Christian Emperor of Rome. It also honored Mrs. Helena Raskob, wife of John J. Raskob, because of their numerous benefactions to the Church.

The church was erected by the Catholic Foundation of the Diocese of Wilmington to which Mr. Raskob had been the principal contributor. The parish furnished the interior of the church. After the ceremonies, a dinner was served at the Brandywine Hundred Fire-House.” (1)

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Text Source:

1. Frank R. Zebley, The Churches of Delaware, Wilmington, Delaware, 1947, p. 119, 120.