The Catholic community in Oracle dates back to at least the 1890s. Mass was administered every month or two, on Saturdays, in the ballroom of the old Mountain View Hotel (presently the site of the Oracle Baptist Church) by Father Basilio Delgado, a Carmelite Priest from Assumption Church in Florence. He was succeeded as Pastor in Florence by Father Jose Domingo Jaquez, who visited Oracle every two weeks to minister to the spiritual needs of its Catholic residents.

St. Helen’s Catholic Church, with its beautiful Spanish design and unique stained glass windows, has been a landmark in Oracle since 1927. It was built through the generosity of Charles and Helen Gilliland, who also donated the Sacred Vessels, Vestments and Church furnishings.

Charles was an annual visitor to Arizona from 1901. He met Helen F. Galey on his first visit to Oracle. They were married in 1908. Helen was the daughter of William Thomas Galey, founder of the Aberfoyle Manufacturing Company, a textile company in Chester, PA. Charles served as treasurer for Aberfoyle, and later founded the Cotton Products Company in Philadelphia. He aided the government in the arbitration of labor disputes during WWI, and devoted himself toward correcting child labor, night employment of women and living conditions among textile workers. In 1923 he purchased Phoenix Date and Citrus Properties, which became Gilliland Groves. In addition to St. Helen’s Catholic Chapel, he built and developed a palatial residence, El Rancho Robles in Oracle. In 1936 Charles resigned his business interests in the East and made his home in Arizona.

The land on which St. Helen’s was built was donated by John Lawson. Henry O. Jaastad (or Roy Place?) was the architect. The construction was done by John P. Steffes. It was dedicated in April of 1927 by his Excellency, Daniel James Gercke, Bishop of Tucson.

Following the dedication, Mass was celebrated twice a month by the priest from Florence, until 1954 when Bishop Gercke founded St Bartholomew’s Parish in Mammoth, and appointed Father Francis J. O’Reilly as its first Pastor. From that time on, Mass was celebrated by Father O’Reilly at St. Helen’s every Saturday and Sunday morning.

In 1963 a meeting hall and catechetical center was built adjoining the original Church. A Spanish architectural style to complement the existing building was maintained in the new addition, resulting in a striking and charming presence in its Santa Catalina Mountain setting. It has been the site of Baptismals, First Holy Communions, Confirmations, marriages and funerals for several generations of Oracle parishioners.

Amalia Clark wrote on the occasion of the first St. Helen’s Fiesta in 1989:

“... This Church holds many memories for ... numerous Oracle families who have found solace, comfort and joy within its sacred walls. May we continue to contribute and to share in the upkeep of our beloved St. Helen’s Church. May God bless us and may He, through the intercession of St Helen our patroness, continue to guide us in our spiritual lives.”