How about a journey back to 1940? That’s when the story of the Church of Saint Helena in the Bronx began. Archbishop of New York, Francis Spellman, declared a new parish was needed. This parish became the Church of Saint Helena.
Its first pastor was Monsignor Arthur Scanlan. He was also president of St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers. He chose the name St. Helena in honor of Archbishop Spellman’s late mother. Her name was Ellen Maria “Nellie” Conway Spellman.
Initially, the parish met in an unlikely place. It was Loefflers Picnic Park. This park had an old dance hall, a tavern, and bowling alleys. The church’s green building was once the tavern. It dated back to 1901. Imagine worshiping where people once danced and bowled.
Monsignor Scanlan and his assistants held services there. In September 1940, the Sisters of the Order of St. Dominic started a school for 600 children. So the tavern became both a church and a school.
Ground was broken for the actual church building on December 1, 1940. The first mass at St. Helena’s was held in the auditorium on October 4, 1941. Christmas morning 1941 marked the first mass in the upper church.
The three limestone altars were consecrated on April 14, 1942. Bishop Stephen Donahue sealed relics inside them. These relics belonged to St. Helena and Saints Pia and Amantius.
The rectory is connected to the church. It has offices, a dining room, and a kitchen. Priests lived on the upper floors.
Archbishop Spellman dedicated the Church of Saint Helena on May 3, 1942. The original dedication program stated that the vision of St. Helena’s had become a shining reality.
Eggers & Higgins designed the church in Neo-Romanesque style. They were a prominent architectural firm. Interestingly, they designed the Jefferson Memorial shortly after. The Church of Saint Helena is located at Olmstead Avenue and Benedict Avenue.
The parish purchased more land in 1949. It was from St. Joseph’s School for the Deaf. Two high schools were opened. These were St. Helena’s Girls’ High School and St. Helena’s Boys’ High School. They later merged into Msgr. Scanlan High School. At one point, it was the largest parish high school in New York City.
St. Helena’s is more than just a building. It’s a testament to faith and community. It adapted from a tavern to a spiritual home. Its story reflects the changing face of the Bronx. It continues to serve its diverse community with masses in English, Spanish, and French.