About Cathedral of St. Helena · Helena, Montana
The Cathedral of St. Helena is the mother church and seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Helena, located at 530 N. Ewing Street in Helena, Montana. Built between 1908 and 1924 and designed in the Gothic Revival style by architect A. O. Von Herbulis, it was modeled after the Votivkirche in Vienna, Austria. The cathedral is renowned for its twin 230-foot spires, its more than 11,600 square feet of stained glass produced by the F. X. Zettler firm of Munich, and its place on the National Register of Historic Places. It serves the capital of Montana as an active parish and pilgrimage landmark, offering daily Mass, Eucharistic adoration, reconciliation, faith formation, and outreach ministries.
- Established
- 1908
- Patron
- Saint Helena (Empress Helena, mother of Constantine the Great)
- Rector
- Father Marc Lenneman
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Helena
Why belong here
The Cathedral of St. Helena is the spiritual heart of Catholic life in Montana's capital, offering a rich liturgical schedule with daily Mass, weekday adoration, multiple weekend Masses, and the opportunity for Confession several times a week. Parishioners can grow through faith formation for all ages — from elementary and youth programs to RCIA (OCIA), book studies with the pastor, retreats, and a Catholic Couples group — while serving through nearly a dozen ministries including music, liturgical service, funeral ministry, Heart & Home visits to the sick, and the long-running Christmas Giving Tree that helps around 150 Helena families each year. The cathedral itself, with its soaring Gothic interior, world-class Munich stained glass, and active devotional life (Rosary, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Eucharistic adoration), offers a worship experience that is at once historically magnificent and warmly pastoral.
Mass times at Cathedral of St. Helena
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 11:15am - 11:45am
- Thursday: 4:45pm - 5:15pm
- Saturday: 9:30am - 11:00am (following the 9:00am Mass)
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Friday: following the 7:00am Mass until 12:00pm (Noon)
- Saturday: following the 9:00am Mass until 11:00am
- One Tuesday evening per month: 7:00pm - 8:00pm (until 8:15pm per diocese listing)
History of the Cathedral of St. Helena
In 1904, Bishop John Patrick Carroll set out to construct a cathedral for the people of Helena, Montana, hoping it would rival the great churches of Europe. After ascending Mount Helena to survey the city, he chose an entire city block for the site, purchased in 1905 with a $25,000 donation from mining magnate Thomas Cruse. Architect A. O. Von Herbulis — a son of the Austrian Empire trained in Budapest and Vienna — modeled the cathedral on the Votivkirche in Vienna. The cornerstone was laid October 4, 1908; the first Mass was celebrated November 8, 1914; and the cathedral was consecrated in June 1924 at a total cost of about $645,000. The 1935 Helena earthquakes nearly destroyed the south tower; it was rebuilt by 1938. A major interior restoration under Bishop Joseph M. Gilmore (1956–1959) added the bronze altar canopy and gilding. The cathedral was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, and a renovation begun in 2002 under Bishop Robert C. Morlino continues under Bishop George Leo Thomas, including a remodeled lower level named in honor of Helena's first bishop, John B. Brondel.
- Construction began: 1908
- First Mass: November 8, 1914
- Consecration: June 1924
- NRHP listing: April 30, 1980
- Major restorations: 1935–1938 (earthquake), 1956–1959, 2002–present
Architecture, Art & Stained Glass
The cathedral is a Gothic Revival ('Geometric Gothic') structure of tawny Bedford Indiana limestone with a steeply-pitched red-tile roof, patterned after the Votivkirche of Vienna and loosely modeled on Cologne Cathedral. Its twin spires rise 230 feet, topped by 12-foot gold-leafed crosses. The exterior displays 29 life-size statues of saints and historical figures including Copernicus, Dante, Ampere, Gutenberg, Pasteur, and Christopher Columbus. The interior boasts 59 stained glass windows totaling 11,693 square feet, primarily the work of the F. X. Zettler firm of Munich, with the clerestory completed by 1926 by Boston craftsman Charles J. Connick. The windows tell a unified biblical sequence from the Fall of Adam and Eve to the early 20th-century Church. Fifteen hand-cast bells from the McShane Foundry of Baltimore — representing the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary — hang in the north tower and are played from a keyboard in the choir loft.
- Architect: A. O. Von Herbulis (Albert Olszewski)
- Architectural style: Gothic Revival (Geometric Gothic)
- Construction material: Bedford Indiana limestone
- Twin spires: 230 feet tall
- Stained glass: 59 windows, 11,693 sq ft, F. X. Zettler of Munich
- Bells: 15 hand-cast (McShane Foundry, Baltimore)
Clergy & Diocesan Leadership
The cathedral is pastored by Father Marc Lenneman as Pastor/Rector, with Father Nathan Scheidecker serving as Parochial Vicar and Monsignor Kevin S. O'Neill as Pastor/Rector Emeritus (he also serves as Vicar General of the Diocese). Deacon Robert (Bob) Fishman serves as deacon and Religious Education Director. The cathedral is the seat of Bishop Austin Anthony Vetter, the 11th Bishop of the Diocese of Helena, born September 13, 1967, in Linton, North Dakota, ordained a priest in 1993 and consecrated bishop on November 20, 2019. Pastoral Associate Michael Vreeburg coordinates liturgy; Dr. Jonathan Embry directs liturgical music. The parish staff includes Jennifer Fenton (Business Manager), Maria Melvin (Bookkeeper), and Jen McCaughn (Administrative Assistant).
- Pastor/Rector: Fr. Marc Lenneman
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Nathan Scheidecker
- Pastor/Rector Emeritus: Msgr. Kevin S. O'Neill (Vicar General)
- Deacon / Religious Education Director: Deacon Bob Fishman
- Bishop: Austin Anthony Vetter (11th Bishop of Helena)
Devotions & Liturgical Life
Beyond Mass, the cathedral fosters a rich devotional life. The Rosary is prayed following the 7:00am weekday Mass and at 8:30am on Saturdays (as a Rosary for Vocations). Our Lady of Perpetual Help devotion is observed on Tuesdays following both the 7:00am and Noon Masses. Father Marc leads seasonal book studies following the Thursday 5:30pm Mass. The cathedral also livestreams its weekly Mass and important events for those unable to attend in person.
- Rosary: Mon–Fri after 7:00am Mass; Sat 8:30am (Vocations)
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help: Tuesdays after 7am & Noon Masses
- Book Study with Fr. Marc: seasonal, after Thursday 5:30pm Mass
- Mass livestream: weekly via the parish website
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at the Cathedral of St. Helena begins in 1st grade and continues through adulthood. Elementary students (Grades 1–5) meet Wednesdays from 3:45–5:00pm, while middle and high school youth (Grades 6–12) meet Wednesdays from 7:00–8:30pm. The Youth Group provides a space for students to encounter Jesus Christ and His Church through weekly conversations and activities. Sacramental preparation is offered for First Eucharist (2nd grade), Confirmation (grades 6–12), and Baptism. Adult formation includes RCIA / OCIA classes on Tuesdays from 6:00–7:30pm, directed by Elizabeth Simkins, along with retreats, Journey Weekends, a Catholic Couples Group, seasonal book studies with Father Marc, and Hospitality Ministry opportunities.
- Elementary Faith Formation: Grades 1–5, Wednesdays 3:45–5:00pm
- Middle & High School: Grades 6–12, Wednesdays 7:00–8:30pm
- RCIA / OCIA: Tuesdays 6:00–7:30pm
- Director of Faith Formation: Elizabeth Simkins ([email protected])
- Adult formation: retreats, Journey Weekends, Catholic Couples Group, book studies
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners serve the Mass as Readers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (must be confirmed, in good standing, 18+), altar Servers (ages 10+), Ushers, and Greeters. Music Ministry includes choirs, instrumentalists, and frequent organ recitals led by Director of Liturgical Music Dr. Jonathan Embry. The Youth Group is supported by Virtus-trained adult volunteers. Funeral Ministry and 'Called to Console' offer ways to minister to the grieving. Contact Pastoral Associate Michael Vreeburg at the Cathedral Office (406-442-5825) to get involved.
- Readers
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Altar Servers (ages 10+)
- Ushers
- Greeters
- Music Ministry (Choirs, Instrumentals, Organ Recitals)
Sacraments
The cathedral celebrates all seven sacraments. Couples wishing to marry at the Cathedral must be active, registered parishioners for at least six months and should call the parish office to begin preparation; topics covered include the sacrament itself, communication, finances, intimacy, Natural Family Planning, parenting, and the wedding ceremony, led by a team of married couples. Baptisms, First Communion, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders discernment, and Funeral planning are all coordinated through the parish office; funeral planning is handled through Deacon Bob Fishman. The parish page quotes the Catechism of the Catholic Church: 'The sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us.'
- Baptism, Confirmation, First Eucharist (2nd grade)
- Reconciliation (see confession schedule)
- Matrimony (6-month preparation)
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Orders (discernment encouraged)
- Funerals (contact Deacon Bob Fishman)
Social Services & Outreach
The Cathedral of St. Helena is deeply engaged in outreach to the Helena community. The Christmas Giving Tree program, a decades-old partnership with Good Samaritan Ministries, has served around 350 children and approximately 150 families each year, transforming the cathedral basement into a 'store' where parents select gifts for their children. The Baby Boutique — a free baby boutique and diaper bank operated with Catholic Social Services of Montana — provides diapers, wipes, clothing, bedding, and other essentials for children through age 5, free with no religious affiliation required; it has relocated from the cathedral basement to the Cathedral offices across the parking lot for a more retail-style experience. The Heart & Home Ministry sends trained ministers to visit the homebound, nursing homes, and hospitals weekly.
- Christmas Giving Tree (with Good Samaritan Ministries)
- Baby Boutique & Diaper Bank (with Catholic Social Services of Montana)
- Heart & Home Ministry (visits to homebound, nursing homes, hospitals)
- Called to Console (cards to grieving parishioners)
Getting Involved
Bishop Vetter reminds parishioners, 'With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.' The parish invites visitors and parishioners alike to register as parishioners and to explore the many ministries — liturgical, musical, charitable, and formational — that bring the cathedral community to life. Sign-ups for RCIA, youth volunteer roles, the Catholic Couples Group, and the Hospitality Ministry are available through the parish office.
- Register as a parishioner
- Volunteer in Liturgical Ministry
- Join the Music Ministry
- Serve in Social Services (Giving Tree, Baby Boutique, Heart & Home)
Visiting the Cathedral
The cathedral is open throughout the week: Monday–Friday 6:30am to 6:00pm, Saturday 9:00am to 6:00pm, and Sunday 7:00am to 3:00pm. The parish office is open Monday–Thursday 9:00am to 2:00pm and Friday 9:00am to 12:00pm. Visitors are welcome to attend Mass, pray before the Blessed Sacrament during adoration, or simply admire the Zettler stained glass, the soaring 230-foot spires, and the 29 exterior statues. The cathedral is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a popular stop on Helena heritage tours. An elevator in the north transept improves accessibility between levels. Weekly Mass and special events are livestreamed online via the parish website.
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9am–2pm; Fri 9am–noon
- Cathedral Hours: Mon–Fri 6:30am–6pm; Sat 9am–6pm; Sun 7am–3pm
- Livestream: weekly Mass available at sthelenas.org
- Accessibility: elevator in north transept (installed in 2002+ renovation)