About St. Frederic · Saint Helens, Oregon
St. Frederic Catholic Parish is a Roman Catholic community in St. Helens, Oregon, part of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon. The parish describes itself as 'a Catholic Christian Community that works and prays together to deepen our love of God and to share that love by ministering to each other and the extended community in holiness and justice.' It serves the greater St. Helens area — historically the unified communities of St. Helens, Houlton, and Milton — and today offers a bilingual (English/Spanish) Sunday liturgy alongside a robust sacramental life that includes daily Mass, Saturday confessions, Friday Eucharistic Adoration, faith formation for children and youth, and outreach through the St. Vincent de Paul Society and the Knights of Columbus. The current pastor is Father Nicolaus Marandu.
- Established
- 1911
- Patron
- St. Frederic (Frederic, Bishop and Martyr)
- Rector
- Rev. Nicolaus Marandu (Father Nicolaus Marandu)
- Diocese
- Metropolitan Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon
Why belong here
St. Frederic offers the full rhythm of parish Catholic life in a small-town setting: daily Mass Tuesday through Friday, a Saturday Vigil Mass, and bilingual (English/Spanish) Sunday liturgies, with Saturday confessions and Friday Eucharistic Adoration. Beyond the liturgy, parishioners keep active the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Women's Society (funeral receptions, Christmas Bazaar), the Knights of Columbus, Faith Formation and a Youth Group, Communion visits to the homebound, and Sacramental Preparation. Beloved traditions include the annual Chili Feed Fund Drive, the October Fest, the Corpus Christi procession, the August parish picnic, the blessing of teachers and students, and a multi-ensemble music ministry (Folk Ensemble, Traditional, Hispanic, Youth, and Children's Choirs) — making it a place where longtime Columbia County families and newcomers worship side by side.
Mass times at St. Frederic
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Adoration times
- Friday 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM (following the 8:30 AM Mass)
Parish Identity & Mission
St. Frederic Catholic Parish is a Roman Catholic community in St. Helens, Oregon, within the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon. Its own mission statement is that the parish is 'a Catholic Christian Community that works and prays together to deepen our love of God and to share that love by ministering to each other and the extended community in holiness and justice.' The parish today serves a diverse community of both long-standing families and newcomers to the greater St. Helens area — historically the unified communities of St. Helens, Houlton, and Milton.
- Patron: St. Frederic, Bishop and Martyr
- Jurisdiction: Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon
- Mission statement: works and prays together to deepen love of God
- 100th Anniversary celebrated in 2011
History
Catholic life in St. Helens began with pioneer missionaries who, prior to 1908, served both Rainier and St. Helens with monthly Mass and sick calls. The original building — St. Mary's Hall — was erected in 1911 as a mission church. The parish was named and built up in the years after World War I with the help of an influx of Italian families, and the cornerstone of a new church was laid by Archbishop Christie on October 17, 1920, with dedication on January 21, 1921. The parish has weathered two fires, the rise and eventual closure (in 1974) of its school, and the construction of a new church dedicated by Archbishop Cornelius Power on January 23, 1983.
- 1908: Pioneer missionaries serving Rainier and St. Helens
- 1911: St. Mary's Hall erected for $1,437
- 1916: Rev. William Hampson appointed pastor of Rainier and St. Helens
- 1920: Cornerstone laid by Archbishop Christie
- 1921: Church dedicated in memory of Frederick Morgus
- 1928: First parochial school in Columbia County opens
- 1960: JFK campaign stop in front of St. Frederic
- 1974: Parish school closes
- 1983: New church dedicated by Archbishop Cornelius Power
- 2011: 100th Anniversary
Clergy & Staff
The current pastor is Father Nicolaus Marandu, who also serves as the registered President of 'St. Frederic Catholic Church, St. Helens, Oregon' on file with the Oregon Secretary of State. Parochial records note that over the years many priests have served the parish, some for as little as three months and others for many years.
- Pastor: Fr. Nicolaus Marandu
- Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (Marylhurst) — historical staff of the school and Pastoral Associates
- Missioneras del Rosario de Fátima of Mexico — Hispanic sisters serving in recent years
Mass & Sacramental Schedule
The parish publishes its Mass schedule, including a Saturday Vigil, Sunday English and bilingual Masses, daily weekday Masses Tuesday through Friday, Saturday confessions, and Friday Eucharistic Adoration following the morning Mass.
- Saturday Vigil: 5:00 PM (English)
- Sunday: 8:00 AM (English), 11:00 AM (Bilingual English/Spanish)
- Tuesday–Friday: 8:30 AM (English)
- Confessions: Saturday 4:00–4:30 PM
- Adoration: Friday 9:00–10:00 AM (following 8:30 AM Mass)
Faith Formation & Youth
Sacramental Preparation is offered alongside Faith Formation for children and a very active Youth Group. Parish bulletins highlight youth activities including retreats — for example, a recent Seaside retreat — and parish-wide moments such as the blessing of teachers and students.
- Faith Formation for kids
- Youth Group (Seaside retreats and other activities)
- Sacramental Preparation
- Annual blessing of teachers and students at 11 AM Mass
Music & Liturgical Ministries
Music ministry at St. Frederic is supported by a mix of ensembles and small groups that together bring the Sunday liturgies to life. The parish lists a Folk Ensemble, a Traditional Choir, a Hispanic Choir, a Youth Choir, and a Children's Choir, alongside broader Liturgical Ministries.
- Folk Ensemble
- Traditional Choir
- Hispanic Choir
- Youth Choir
- Children's Choir
- Liturgical Ministries
Outreach & Parish Groups
Outreach is a hallmark of the parish. A St. Vincent de Paul hotline helps those who need assistance, the Women's Society hosts funeral receptions and a Christmas Bazaar of items made by members, and the Knights of Columbus Council meets locally (at St. Wenceslaus in Scappoose). A Hispanic Pastoral Council supports the parish's bilingual life.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — parish assistance hotline
- Knights of Columbus (meets at St. Wenceslaus, Scappoose)
- Women's Society (funeral receptions, Christmas Bazaar)
- Hispanic Pastoral Council
Parish Traditions & Annual Events
The parish life is marked by several recurring traditions that bring the wider community together each year. These include a Corpus Christi procession in June, an August parish picnic, the blessing of teachers and students, the annual Chili Feed Fund Drive (which has become a beloved local tradition), and the St. Frederic October Fest.
- Chili Feed Fund Drive (annual)
- Corpus Christi procession (June)
- Parish picnic (August)
- Blessing of teachers and students
- St. Frederic October Fest
- Christmas Bazaar (Women's Society)
- Sauerkraut sales in 5-gallon buckets
Contact, Directions & Practical Info
The parish office is at 175 S 13th Street, St. Helens, OR 97051. Telephone (503) 397-0148. Email [email protected]. The parish website is stfredericchurch.org. From Highway 30, take Columbia Blvd., then turn right on 13th Street; the parish is on the right.
- Address: 175 S 13th St, St. Helens, OR 97051
- Phone: (503) 397-0148
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://stfredericchurch.org/
- Directions: Hwy. 30 → Columbia Blvd. → right on 13th St., parish on right
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. William Hampson1916–
Appointed by Archbishop Christie in 1916 as pastor of both Rainier and St. Helens.
- Rev. Dr. Urban Fisher, O.S.B.early 1900s
Of Scappoose; helped fill priestly vacancies at the mission church during WWI years.
- Numerous priests over the years
Many priests served St. Frederic, some for as little as three months and others for several years. No continuous published succession was found.