About Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart · Charleston, West Virginia
The Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart is a Roman Catholic cathedral church and minor basilica located at 1114 Virginia Street East in downtown Charleston, West Virginia. Along with the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Wheeling, it serves as a seat of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, which covers the entire state of West Virginia. Founded in 1866 by Father Joseph W. Stenger and designated a co-cathedral in 1974 by Pope Paul VI, the parish was raised to the dignity of a minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI on November 9, 2009. Its Richardsonian Romanesque limestone church, completed in 1897, houses a Schantz pipe organ, Munich stained glass, and a 120-foot bell tower — and remains the spiritual and civic anchor of the Kanawha Valley's oldest Catholic parish.
- Established
- 1866
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Very Rev. Donald X. Higgs, A.V.F. (Rector); His Excellency Bishop Mark E. Brennan (Diocesan Bishop / Pastor)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston (Roman Catholic)
Why belong here
Sacred Heart is the historic spiritual home of Catholicism in the Kanawha Valley — a parish that has welcomed Charleston families for more than 150 years and continues to combine traditional liturgical beauty with vibrant community life. Parishioners enjoy a full music program with the Basilica Choir, Children's Choir, Cantors and a new Handbell Choir supporting a Romanesque basilica filled with Munich stained glass and a 58-rank Schantz pipe organ. Active ministries span faith formation from early learning through Charleston Catholic High School, the Knights of Columbus St. Michael the Archangel Council #771, the St. Monica's Rosary Prayer Group, the Gabriel Project for mothers in need, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and the Ministry to the Sick and Elderly — offering something for every age and vocation.
Mass times at Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 4:00–5:00 PM (Basilica cry room)
- By appointment — call 304-342-8175
Adoration times
- Saturdays 4:00–5:00 PM (in conjunction with confessions)
Parish History
Sacred Heart Parish was established on August 1, 1866, when Bishop Richard Vincent Whelan purchased the Dunbar property at Broad and Quarrier for use as a combined church and school. Father Joseph W. Stenger, the founding resident pastor, arrived by boat on June 5, 1866 and initially celebrated Sunday Mass on the second floor of B. Ward's store on Front Street. Within four decades the parish had grown from 63 scattered families across five counties to a thriving congregation that built the present Romanesque church (1895–97) and a network of missions, schools and Mount Olivet Cemetery (blessed 1887). The parish was assigned in perpetuity to the Capuchin Fathers of the Province of St. Augustine in January 1902, beginning 79 years of Capuchin administration that ended in 1980 when diocesan priest Msgr. Edward Sadie became rector.
- 1832 – First Catholic priest ministers in present-day West Virginia
- 1836 – Father Alexander L. Hitzelberger celebrates Mass at the Charleston courthouse
- 1842 – Bishop Richard Vincent Whelan of Richmond visits Charleston
- 1850 – Pope Pius IX establishes the Diocese of Wheeling (July 19)
- 1866 – Father Stenger arrives (June 5); Bishop Whelan purchases Dunbar property (August 1)
- 1869 – Frame church (60′ × 25′) built for $1,500 on the present rectory site
- 1885 – Fund-raising begins for a new church
- 1895 – Bishop Donahue lays the cornerstone (July 28)
- 1897 – First Mass in the present church (Christmas Day)
- 1900 – Death of Father Stenger
- 1901–1902 – Capuchin Fathers take charge (formal transfer January 10–15, 1902)
- 1909 – Munich stained-glass windows and marble high altar installed
- 1911 – Three historic bells blessed (April 30)
- 1966 – Centennial of the parish celebrated
- 1974 – Sacred Heart designated co-cathedral (October 4)
- 1980 – Capuchins conclude 79-year ministry; Msgr. Sadie becomes rector
- 1988 – Cathedral rededicated by Bishop Francis B. Schulte
- 2009 – Elevated to minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI (November 9)
Architecture & Sacred Art
The 1895–97 Romanesque Revival church was designed by Herman L. Rowe of Lexington, Kentucky and built by the A.F. Withrow Lumber Co. in warm-hued quarry-faced limestone for $30,000. Its twin-towered southern facade and 120-foot belfry define the downtown Charleston skyline. The interior is enriched by three large stained-glass windows from Munich (Nativity, Last Supper, Ascension of the Virgin), the Riordan Company saints' windows, a 1909 marble high altar, red Verona and Belgian Rouge sanctuary marble, Fleuri Travernelle nave and vestibule marble, 1950s Romanesque-style light fixtures, and a 1985 Schantz 58-rank, three-manual pipe organ (opus 1765) — the largest in the Kanawha Valley. The 1988 sanctuary furnishings — mahogany cathedra, ambo and altar by Edward Hillenbrand — and a 1966 sanctuary ceiling painting by John L. Baker complete the artistic ensemble.
- Architect: Herman L. (H.B.) Rowe, Lexington, KY
- Style: Richardsonian Romanesque
- Material: Limestone (quarry-faced)
- Bell tower: 120 feet
- Pipe organ: Schantz 58-rank, three-manual, opus 1765 (1985)
- Large stained glass: Munich, 1909
- Bells: St. Richard (2,060 lb), St. Joseph (1,500 lb), Blessed Virgin (700 lb)
Pastoral Staff
Sacred Heart is pastored by the rector, Very Rev. Donald X. Higgs, A.V.F., who also serves as Vicar Forane of the Charleston Vicariate and Associate Episcopal Vicar for Clergy for the diocese. Bishop Mark E. Brennan of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston is the parish's pastor. The associate rector, Rev. Prakash P. Kerketta, was appointed by Bishop Brennan effective November 29, 2024. The Sisters of the Infant Jesus (SJI) are present in the parish, including Sr. Ida Chikara, who coordinates the Ministry to the Sick and Elderly.
- Most Rev. Mark E. Brennan — Bishop / Pastor
- Very Rev. Donald X. Higgs, A.V.F. — Rector
- Rev. Prakash P. Kerketta — Associate Rector
- Sisters of the Infant Jesus (SJI)
Music Ministry
The music program enhances worship throughout the liturgical year — Sunday and Holy Day Masses, weddings, funerals, and diocesan events including the Rite of Election, Chrism Mass, Confirmation and Ordinations. For diocesan occasions the Basilica singers are often supplemented by a combined Vicariate Choir. Director Rosemary Severn and Principal Organist Gregory Gray lead the program from the loft above the basilica entrance.
- Basilica Choir (SATB) — sings for the 10:30 AM Sunday Mass; rehearsals Thursday 6:00 PM and Sunday 9:30 AM
- Children's Choir — grades 2–8, sings at select Masses
- Cantors — proclaim the Psalm Response and Gospel Acclamation
- Handbell Choir — newly forming (music-reading experience required)
Parish Schools & Faith Formation
Catholic education has been a foundational ministry of Sacred Heart since 1870, when the Sisters of St. Joseph reopened St. Mary's Academy (boarding school, 1870–1895). Today the parish operates the Early Learning Center (6 weeks–3 years), Sacred Heart Grade School (K-5 plus Pre-School ages 3-4) and the Child Development Center (daycare / after-school care), and partners with the adjacent Tudor Revival Charleston Catholic High School (grades 6-12, across Virginia Street, built 1940). Faith Formation for school-age children is coordinated by Director Andrea Stover.
- Sacred Heart Early Learning Center: 6 weeks–3 years
- Sacred Heart Grade School: K-5 plus Pre-School (ages 3-4) — Principal Colleen M. Hoyer
- Sacred Heart Child Development Center — Coordinator Grace Holden
- Charleston Catholic High School: 6-12 — Principal Niki Kurten
Parish Organizations & Outreach
Sacred Heart sponsors a broad range of lay ministries and apostolates. Pastoral care reaches the homebound and hospitalized through the Ministry to the Sick and Elderly, supported by Sr. Ida Chikara, SJI. The St. Monica's Rosary Prayer Group gathers for ongoing Marian intercession. The Knights of Columbus St. Michael the Archangel Council #771 (Grand Knight Dick Fauss) supports parish and community initiatives. The SH Christian Service Committee coordinates charitable outreach, the Gabriel Project accompanies expectant mothers in need, and Mount Olivet Cemetery & Mausoleum is operated by the parish.
- Knights of Columbus — St. Michael the Archangel #771
- SH Christian Service Committee (Ron Rushworth)
- SH Gift Shop (Antonetta Stevens, Kathy Lamb)
- St. Monica's Rosary Prayer Group (Diane Kimble)
- Gabriel Project
- Ministry to Sick/Elderly (Sr. Ida Chikara, SJI)
- Mount Olivet Cemetery & Mausoleum
- John XXIII Pastoral Center
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the full sacramental life of the Roman Catholic Church. Anointing of the Sick is available to the homebound and hospitalized through the Ministry to the Sick and Elderly. Confessions are heard Saturdays 4:00–5:00 PM in the basilica cry room or by appointment. Infant Baptism, Weddings, First Communion and Confirmation are scheduled through the parish office at 304-342-8175. Eucharistic Adoration is offered Saturdays 4:00–5:00 PM.
- Anointing of the Sick — contact parish office
- Reconciliation — Saturdays 4:00–5:00 PM in the cry room or by appointment
- Infant Baptism — contact parish office
- Weddings — contact parish office
- Eucharistic Adoration — Saturdays 4:00–5:00 PM
Administration & Facilities
Day-to-day operations are handled by a small administrative team working from the parish offices and the Cordis Center (the renovated former Cenacle Retreat property housing parish offices and clergy apartments). Property management is overseen by John Blake. The John XXIII Pastoral Center (dedicated 1985) provides additional space for parish activities, and the parish's expanded parking footprint — acquired through purchase of the former Charleston newspaper lot and the former Kanawha Valley Hospital site — supports Mass attendance and parish events.
- Pam Acevedo — Bookkeeper
- John Blake — Property Manager
- Sheila Kerekes — Secretary
- Angela Hodges — Office Assistant
- Alpha Technologies — IT
- Cordis Center — parish offices and clergy apartments
- John XXIII Pastoral Center — parish activity center
Diocese & Episcopal Context
Sacred Heart shares cathedra honors with the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Wheeling as a seat of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, which encompasses all of West Virginia. The diocese was renamed from the Diocese of Wheeling by Pope Paul VI on October 4, 1974 — the same day Sacred Heart was designated co-cathedral. The current diocesan bishop and parish pastor is His Excellency Mark E. Brennan.
- Diocese: Wheeling-Charleston
- Bishop: Most Rev. Mark E. Brennan
- Co-Cathedral partners: Cathedral of St. Joseph, Wheeling
- Diocesan website: https://dwc.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Joseph W. Stenger1866–1900
Founding resident pastor (diocesan). Ordained Wheeling 1862; arrived in Charleston by boat June 5, 1866; built the frame church of 1869 and the present Romanesque basilica (cornerstone 1895); also planned the parish school and missions across five counties. Died 1900, mourned by all of Charleston.
- Rev. Patrick H. GilsenanJanuary–April 1901
Newly ordained diocesan priest temporarily pastored Sacred Heart during the transition between Stenger's death and the Capuchin takeover.
- Rev. Constantine Hoefler, O.F.M. Cap.April 18, 1901 – September 24, 1902
First Capuchin pastor; accompanied by Rev. Alphonse Hillenbrand (assistant) and Lay Brother Sebastian. Arrived after a difficult trip delayed by washouts and high water at Point Pleasant.
- Rev. Alphonse (Hillenbrand), O.F.M. Cap.1901–1902
First Capuchin assistant priest, served the outlying missions.
- Rev. Thomas More Janecek, O.F.M. Cap.1902–1941 (approx., Capuchin era)
Long-serving Capuchin pastor named in the parish centennial record; led the parish through the major early-20th-century building campaigns.
- Rev. DeSales Young, O.F.M. Cap.1971–1977
Capuchin pastor; his tenure coincided with Pope Paul VI's 1974 redesignation of the diocese and the elevation of Sacred Heart to co-cathedral. Died 2017.
- Rev. Philip G. Freeland, O.F.M. Cap.1966 (centennial pastor)
Capuchin pastor at the time of the parish's 1966 centennial celebration; received a papal letter of congratulation from Pope Paul VI.
- Rev. Msgr. Edward Sadie1980–2015 (approx. 35 years)
First diocesan rector after the Capuchins departed in 1980. Ordained 1957; previously vice-rector/treasurer at St. Joseph Preparatory Seminary, Vienna (1963–69) and pastor of St. Agnes, Kanawha City (1969–80). Led the 1980s "Growth In Faith Together" capital campaign, John XXIII Pastoral Center, Schantz organ, and Cordis Center purchases. Named Apostolic Protonotary by Pope Benedict XVI in 2013; instrumental in the 2009 elevation to minor basilica.
- Very Rev. Donald X. Higgs, A.V.F.2015–present
Current rector; also Vicar Forane of the Charleston Vicariate and Associate Episcopal Vicar for Clergy for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.
- Rev. Prakash P. KerkettaNovember 29, 2024–present
Associate Rector, appointed by Bishop Brennan.
