excerpts from "Our History" 100th Anniversary Parish Directory

"The History of the Catholic Community of Hillsboro is brilliant among the quite historical happenings that have accompanied its growth.

Mrs. Rachel Beaty was probably one of the first settlers in the 1840's. It is recorded that her daughter married Tom Bell Sr., also a Catholic in the 1840's. Later his son, Tom Bell Jr., was the sheriff of HIll County in the 1890's. Mr. F.B. Scott was the first teacher of the first school in Hill County in 1840. Another notorious public servant was Jim Lawless, who drove the stagecoach before the civil war.

These families and others, whose records have not been kept, drove to Waco and attended the Sunday church services there. Before 1875, this was the closes Catholic Church to Hill County.

The beginning of organized Catholic activities in Hillsboro dates back to the year 1887, when Father A. Badelon, then Pastor of the Assumption - today St. Mary's Church, of Waco, celebrated the first mass in the residence of H.P. Harrington, who was among the first in the faith to take up his residence here. Father Badelon was born in Lyon, France. While being a pastor in Waco, he continued coming to Hillsboro until 1894. Upon retirement, he returned to France, where he died.

Like the primitive Christian communities, the Eucharistic service was celebrated in various residences and buildings of Hillsboro. God became present in the community: "Know that I am with you always; yes to the end of time." (Matthew 28:20)

Mrs. B.C. Tarlton's home was also a place where the Catholic families gathered to celebrate the action of thanksgiving.
Martha McMohon, daughter of Thomas McMohon and Manary Bronsfield, was the first baptized in Hillsboro by Father Badelon on May 31, 1887. Soon after Anthony Warren, son of Douglas Warren and M. Graves of Hillsboro was baptized on June 1, of the same year, along with Robert Sturgis, son of Edward Sturgis ad Eleonore Littel. Helen Middlebrook was baptized on July 18, 1888. Minnie Ann Harrington, born January 25, 1890, was baptized on March 1890.

The Diocese of Dallas-Fort Worth became established in 1890. The Rt. Rev. Thomas F. Brennan, D.D. took over the administration of the new Diocese as the first Bishop.

On December 8, 1894, Father J. Dolje was named Pastor of St. Joseph's Church in Waxahachie, and soon after, took over the spiritual needs of the community of Hillsboro.

Paula Moreno, daughter of Fabiano Moreno and Sabine Gonzales was baptized on December 15, 1895. On that same day Juliana Goyanech, daughter of Manuel Goyanech and Angela Amador, was also baptized.

Records show that in 1896, the Culberson School of Hillsboro on the corner of New and Walnut Streets was given to the Catholic Community and used as a temporary church.

Mr. Henry Plunkett made the first donation, a contribution to a new church, on November 19, 1897. In the following months, many others followed with generous donations. This was only the beginning of a total of $556.50 donated by all the members for the erection of a new church building. Their names, as they appear on the records kept at St. Joseph Church in Waxahachie are Chas Beck, Harry Beck, Mrs. Beck, Tom Bell, Mr. and Mrs. Carrol, John Clark, Tom Connors, Will Fallen, M. Fitzpatrick, Flanagan Bros., C. F. Frede, Jim Hagen, A. Haltmar, Emil Hans, Henry Harrington, James Harrington, Jim Hogan, W. Knight, Jim Lawless, Jno. McGuire, W.C. Morrow, Tom O' Connell, J.J. Schupp, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Tighe, Will Varroll, Jos Wallace, Mrs. Walter, Dug Warren, and Jno. Woodall.

Father Thos. J. Magerty, a leader and good administrator, started the project of erecting the new church, but his successor, Father H.J. Baker, O.S.B. finished it in 1899. The first Catholic Church was built on the south side of East Walnut.

The cross on this church, being the first to tower in the skies of Hill County, became the symbol of faith in Hillsboro. For this reason, the new church was called Saint Helen, in memory of her who was the founder of the true cross. The first church was built by Patrick Doyle, the contractor.

The Rt. Rev. Edward Joseph Dunne, second Bishop of the Diocese of Dallas-Fort Worth, dedicated the church in November 1899.

From August 31, 1903 until 1912, the church consolidated itself under the leadership of the following pastors:
B. Deeny...................September 11, 1903- November 27, 1903
P. Long........................................November 27, 1903-July 1904
L.J. Brenock..................................February 15, 1904-July 1904
J.A. Schauf.............................................July 1904-August 1905
A. O'Hara...........................August 4, 1905-September 19, 1906
J.M. Byrne................................October 1, 1906-August 8, 1909
J. McGrann..............................August 8,1909-January 30, 1912
Eramus Glocekner O.P..........February 1, 1912-October 6, 1912

For thirty-two years the church of St. Helen served as a House of God, set apart for worship to hold Communion with God, and as a reminder of His universal presence.

During this period, every other week, the above-mentioned priests attended to the needs of the people and celebrated Mass. They had their residences in Waxahachie.

In 1912 there were 43 Catholic families in Hillsboro. Five persons were baptized, eleven received their sacramental communion, one couple was united in matrimony, and one received a Catholic burial.

In October 1912, Father Kealy took over the administration of the Catholic Church in Hillsboro, while still living in Waxahachie.
Father Joseph O'Donohoe started coming to Hillsboro on November 1917. While he was pastor, Mary Carrol, one of the church's charter members, died. She was born in Ireland in 1830 and buried in Hillsboro Cemetery on February 3, 1918. The records also show that on March 24, 1922, Jon Flangan, born in Canada in 1834, and also a charter parishioner, died. A marginal note says that Father Kealy, "his old friend," came to Hillsboro to give the eulogy."