Church of Our Lady of Help is a Roman Catholic parish in Lawrence, Massachusetts. It was founded in 1890 by nuns from the Order of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and has been known for its faith and service in the surrounding communities ever since. The church has a long and rich history, along with many facts and services. History The Church of Our Lady of Help was founded in 1890 by a small group of nuns from the Order of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. The order had been asked to come to the area to establish a parish for the French Canadian immigrants and other working-class families in the area who, at the time, had lack of access to spiritual care. The nuns sought to provide spiritual leadership, education, and help to the area's struggling Catholic population. The church was initially named St. Margaret, in honor of the patron saint of childbirth, but the name was changed to Our Lady of Help in 1914 to better reflect the spirit of the church. The church building underwent extensive renovation in 1982 to accommodate the growing parish. Facts • Church of Our Lady of Help is the oldest French-speaking Catholic Church in the United States • The church is a registered National Historic Place • The annual Festival of Our Lady of Help, held in April, is the oldest and longest-running community celebration in Lawrence • The church provides weekly Mass, Sunday school, and a variety of other activities and services, including a refugee resettlement ministry Services • Weekly Mass • Sunday school • Bereavement Ministry • Refugee Resettlement Ministry • RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) • Faith Formation Classes • Ongoing sacramental preparation • Volunteer Opportunities • Community Outreach Programs