Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish has a rich history. Since the founding of the city of Everett in 1891, the Catholic population of North Everett has been able to worship, pray and learn together at Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
Father William Lindner, C.Ss.R., said the first Mass on January 17, 1892. While our church had humble beginnings in a two-story schoolhouse (located west of Broadway between Hewitt and Pacific Avenues), a permanent church and rectory were soon built on the current church property at the corner of Cedar Street and Everett Avenue. Our Lady of Perpetual Help was blessed by Bishop Aegidius Junger, D.D., and opened for Divine Service on April 23, 1893. Soon after, attention was turned toward providing a place of Catholic education for the children of the parish. St. Dominic's Academy opened in September of 1899, with seventy children, held in the basement of the church.
By 1916, as Our Lady of Perpetual Help celebrated its silver jubilee, growth in the parish was phenomenal. The current facility, including the church, school, rectory and hall, were built in 1925 to accommodate such growth. At this time a pipe organ was purchased to enhance liturgical services. This organ was moved to the new church and still blesses us with wonderful music.
The second twenty-five years of our parish, while marked by incredible growth, also were a time of financial hardship. Parish debt by 1936 totaled $160,000, an enormous amount at the time. In order to retire this debt, the parish community banded together in fellowship, hosting parish dinners, bazaars, card parties and assessments. This, in addition to the golden jubilee fund drive, successfully retired the debt and left the parish with an eventual surplus. This was certainly a testament to the faith and tenacity of the parishioners of the time.
On October 12, 1941, Our Lady of Perpetual Help celebrated its Golden Jubilee. At this time, parishioners worked to serve the needy in the community through the establishment of a St. Vincent de Paul store on Hewitt Avenue. Although that store closed by the early 1980's, St. Vincent de Paul remains an active and integral part of our parish; meeting community needs through a food bank and with rent and utility assistance programs. The Golden Jubilee years also featured the completion of the convent, which currently serves as a shelter for homeless families in North Everett.
The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) ushered in a new era at Our Lady of Perpetual Help. From masses said entirely in English, to the participation by the laity in the liturgy of the Mass, the late 1960's featured tremendous liturgical changes all designed to make the celebration of the Eucharist more meaningful. These changes also led to the creation of a parish council, intended to assist our pastors in administration of parish life. The parish council currently consists of volunteers from the parish as well as representatives from different church commissions.
By 1976, the school at Our Lady of Perpetual Help was in financial distress and facing possible closure. In response to this, the Everett Sausage Festival was born. This fundraiser, run by the Booster Club, is a three-day event, which raises money to support Catholic education. In twenty-five years, the Sausage Fest has become an institution within the entire city of Everett.
Additionally, the 1970's featured the "Let's Perpetuate Campaign", designed to raise money for parish repairs and refurbishing, as well as to increase participation in the Sunday envelope collection. This campaign was successful and resulted in significant improvements to the church and rectory by the mid 1980's. The results of these efforts brought tremendous pride to the parishioners in the improved appearance of the parish structures. Toward the late 1980's funds were being raised to install stained glass windows in the church. These windows greatly enhance the beauty of our church and liturgy and provide a legacy of art and beauty.
In 1991, with Fr. Joseph Petosa as pastor, Our Lady of Perpetual Help celebrated its Centennial. Through the efforts of the centennial committee, a yearlong celebration took place. The activities of this year not only commemorated the past, but also looked toward the future. The organization of the church would change dramatically in 1994, as Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Immaculate Conception Parish became one pastoral unit. Father Dennis Robb became the pastor of both parishes. While Masses are still said at each church, and parish councils remain separate, many of the other administrative functions have been combined.
There have been many changes in the past 110 years of this parish. One thing that has never changed, however, is our fundamental commitment to serve God, to love each other and to live our faith in our daily lives. In this way, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish has remained strong throughout the years.