Holy Cross Catholic Church is located within the City
of Helena, Montana, on Hoback Street, only a few
blocks away from the state's capitol complex. It is
included on the National Register of Historic Places as a
part of the “House of the Good Shepherd Historic
District.” The Good Shepherd District comprises four
primary buildings built between 1888 and 1895 and
located on both sides of Hoback Street; first, a Convent,
followed by a Dormitory, then the Church, and finally a
Chapel adjoined to the Convent.


 The House of the Good Shepherd District is the first
and the only Good Shepherd Home that remains in the
State of Montana. As white settlers flocked to the gold
strikes in Montana, religious groups followed, preaching
to miners and other early settlers as well as to Native
Americans. Reform and education were highly valued by
residents of fledgling communities who saw churches as
both an anchor to community growth and a necessity
for their children. During the territorial and early
statehood period, the Catholic order played a leading role
throughout Montana establishing social institutions,
schools, and health facilities along with religious
institutions.


 The Catholic Church was the first religious order to
enter Montana, sending Jesuit missionaries to the area in
1841 at the request of western tribes. During the
ensuing settlement years, the Catholic Church held the
highest per capita population in the state and it still
maintains a high membership. Throughout the state's
settlement, the Catholic Church seized the responsibility
for meeting social needs and started mission churches,
schools, hospitals, asylums, social organizations,
orphanages, and many other social services. By 1900 in
Helena alone, the Catholics had erected five churches
and established 12 different organizations to provide a
multitude of services for its members.


 The Catholic Church played an enormous role in the
settlement of Montana and the west. Other religions also
made a large impact during Montana's frontier years, but
the majority of the population that immigrated to the
state were Catholic. These large communities were
quick to utilize and support all of the services and
organizations the churches provided, in efforts to
counteract the free-living, harsh and lawless conditions
they perceived in mining communities across the west.
Bishop Brondel, the first bishop in Montana, very
capably built the sturdy foundation from which these
organizations were able to take root and prosper during
those settlement years, some of which still function
today.


 The temporary, first church in Helena was a small log
cabin with a rough wooden cross nailed to the mud
gable. The cabin faced Broadway, and the cross was a
sign to Catholics that confessions would be heard.
Father Giorda heard confessions for several days at a
time before traveling on.


Time Line Specific for
Saint Helena's/Holy Cross Church


March 10, 1889 – Easter Sunday: The cornerstone for
Saint Helen's was laid. Saint Helena's was built to help
ease the over-crowding in the main church. The brick
Gothic style structure cost approximately $5,700 and
served roughly 500 members, most of whom were of
German descent. Father Charles G. Follet, arriving from
Belgium and fluent in both English and German, took
charge of Saint Helena's and was also entrusted with the
care of the Good Shepherd.


October 27, 1891 – Saint Helena's was formally
dedicated, the occasion doubly blessed by the ringing of
a new bell in the belfry.


Saint Helena's was eventually purchased by group of
Helena-area traditional Catholics.


November 3, 1982 – First traditional ordinations in the
United States performed by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre
at Oyster Bay Cove, New York. Native Montanan Father
Martin Skierka is ordained and becomes first
“traditional” priest of Montana.


November, 1982 – Father Martin Skierka celebrates his
first Solemn High Mass at Holy Cross Church in Helena.
Montana.

December 1982 – Father Skierka begins periodic travel
to Montana to offer Masses while also completing duties
in New York. Father Mroczka also begins care of the
Montana missions for a period of several months.


1993 – Major renovation work on-going within Holy
Cross by parishioners.


November 16, 1993 – House of the Good Shepherd
Historic District is nominated for inclusion on the
National Register of Historic Places by the Montana
State Historic Preservation Office.


December 23, 1993 – House of the Good Shepherd
Historic District's nomination is accepted by the Keeper
of the National Register and the district is officially
placed on the National Register of Historic Places.


In 2005,  Father Skierka begins offering Mass every
Sunday at Holy Cross.
Holy Cross Catholic Church
Fr. Skierka - Consecration - Holy Cross Church
National Historic Place - Holy Cross Church
Fr. Skierka's Sermon - Holy Cross Church - Helena, Montana
Wes & The Gracious Hosts- The Faber Family - Helena, Montana
Wes Gives An Informal Talk At The Beautiful Faber Home
Tomatoes Were Checked At The Door
Elizabeth, Jon & the Baby, Issac - With Ashes
Helena, Montana
Bethany, Lana & Pat Faber After Finding Out That
Wes Steele Was FINALLY Leaving
Beautiful "Daytona Dash"... Wes Wanted To Take Her Home!
The Faber & Steele Kids Enjoying "Daytona" &
Beautiful, Helena, Montana
A very special place to be...
Holy Cross Church in Helena Montana.
My two boys and myself had the honor of
staying at Mr. & Mrs. Pat Faber's home
for a few days while we installed
a recording system at the Church to record
Fr. Skierka's sermons
for WFTS Internet Radio

After Mass on Sunday I was able to meet
many people of the Church.
There was one big problem....
Time went by to fast. I wanted to stay
longer and get to meet and
talk to more people....

Next Time I Plan On
Staying Longer For Sure....
I don't know if you'll take that statement
as a promise or a warning...

It Truly Was
An Honor As Well As A Pleasure
GOD BLESS YOU ALL.!..
Wes Steele
Helena, Montana