Pike Township Family Stories
WALTER HELMS
Nichols, Iowa Centennial Book 1884-1984, pages 281
By Walter HelmsRev. Walter Helms has been pastor of St. Mary’s church in Nichols since 1979. He was born in Keokuk, Iowa. He moved with his family to Iowa City and graduated from Regina High school there. He was graduated from St. Ambrose college with a B. A. in philosophy. He studied for the priesthood at Mt. St. Bernard Seminary and Aquinas School of Theology in Dubuque, Iowa. He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Davenport, Iowa.
He served as associate pastor at St. Mary’s church in Fairfield, Iowa; St. Wenceslaus church in Iowa City and St. Mary’s church in Ottumwa, Iowa. In coming to Nichols, Father Helms assumed the duties of a pastor for the first time, following Father William Sullivan in serving from Nichols the parishes of St. Joseph church, Columbus Junction, Iowa, and St. Malachy church, Ardon, Iowa.
His hobbies and interests include sports such as racquetball, bike riding, canoeing, skiing and swimming, along with camping and photography. While his parents are deceased, Father Helms enjoys the family of his brother, Dave Helms, who is presently in the Air Force, and aunts, uncles and cousins still living nearby in Keokuk and Davenport, Iowa.
Father Helms says his most memorable experience is “the great spirit of people working together in a small community, the life of a small town, summer festivals like Nichols Day.”
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