About Corpus Christi · Wheeling, West Virginia
Corpus Christi Parish is a Roman Catholic parish located in the Warwood section of Wheeling, West Virginia, in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. Founded in 1916, the parish has served northern Wheeling Catholics for over a century, combining a historic Lombard-style church, an active elementary school (Corpus Christi School, PK-8), and a wide range of lay ministries. It offers daily and weekend Masses in the Roman Rite, Eucharistic Adoration, Confessions before the Saturday Vigil, and ministries including the Knights of Columbus, Ladies Guild, St. Vincent de Paul Society, and parish food-basket outreach.
- Established
- 1916
- Patron
- Corpus Christi (Body of Christ)
- Rector
- Fr. Nye Joseph Wiley, C.S.T.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston
Why belong here
Corpus Christi offers a complete Catholic life in one historic Warwood campus: weekend and daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Confessions before the Saturday Vigil, an attached PK-8 elementary school, and a network of lay-led ministries. New members are warmly welcomed through the parish office, and parishioners of every age can find a way to serve — from the Knights of Columbus and Ladies Guild, to St. Vincent de Paul outreach, Good Neighbor hospitality, and food-basket programs for families in need. It is a parish with deep roots (since 1916), beautiful 1924 Lombard-style architecture, and the simple promise that, as the parish timeline says, thousands have been baptized, received First Communion and Confirmation, were married, and had their funeral rites celebrated here across nearly a century.
Mass times at Corpus Christi
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:15 PM
- Or by appointment (contact the parish office)
Adoration times
- Tuesday 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
- Thursday 9:00 PM – 9:30 PM
About Corpus Christi Parish
Corpus Christi is a Roman Catholic parish in the Warwood section of Wheeling, West Virginia, belonging to the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. The parish welcomes new members to register through the parish office and offers a full sacramental life centered on its 1924 Lombard-style church and attached Corpus Christi School (PK-8). The parish website is available in Spanish, and the office asks that parishioners check with staff regarding the availability of additional Spanish-language resources.
Parish History
Founded in 1916 to serve Catholics of the Warwood neighborhood, Corpus Christi grew from a rented house and a combined church/school building into a full parish campus. The cornerstone of the present Lombard-style church was laid in 1923 by Bishop Swint, and the building was dedicated with a Solemn High Mass on May 11, 1924. School additions followed in 1939 and 1952, the Sisters of St. Joseph staffed the school until it moved to lay leadership, a community center was added in 1992, and a major 2010 capital campaign funded 2012 renovations to the church.
- 1916 — Parish established; Rev. Patrick Gilsenan named first pastor (June 16, 1916).
- September 24, 1916 — Cornerstone of combined church/school laid by Bishop Donahue.
- August 19, 1923 — Bishop Swint laid the cornerstone of the present church.
- May 11, 1924 — Church formally dedicated with a Solemn High Mass.
- 1939 and 1952 — School additions completed.
- 1942 — Convent (now Parish Office) purchased.
- 1962 — Rectory addition completed.
- 1966 — Golden Jubilee celebrated; parish noted 5 priests, 4 brothers, and 15 sisters raised from parish families.
- 1989 — Bishop Bernard W. Schmitt, a son of the parish, becomes seventh Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston.
- 1992 — Community center added to the parish.
- 2010 — Capital Campaign launched: 'Thankful for the Past – Preparing for the Future.'
- 2012 — Parish renovations: stained glass, roof, plaster, carpeting, restoration of original artwork.
- 2018 — Fr. Paul Mundumoozhikkaranirappel, C.S.T., becomes 10th pastor.
Architecture and the Church Building
The present Corpus Christi Church is a Lombard-style building designed by Edward Weber, the architect of St. Joseph Cathedral, and was dedicated in 1924. The parish highlights its stained glass windows, large crucifix, and original interior artwork; the 2012 renovation campaign specifically restored that artwork along with plaster, roof, and carpeting.
Parish Staff and Contacts
Office hours are 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. The parish office can be reached at (304) 277-2911 or [email protected]. New members are always welcome — the parish invites visitors to contact the office at any time to register.
- Pastor: Fr. Nye Joseph Wiley, C.S.T.
- Parish Secretary: Colleen Beiter
- Music Director: Mrs. Deborah Breiding
- Finance Council (contact via Parish Office)
- Building & Maintenance: Mr. Ebbie Schuetz
- Good Neighbor: Georgia Rudol
- Food Baskets: John Estep
- Ladies Guild: Mary Jo Graebe
- Knights of Columbus: Joe Pangilinan (304-277-3150)
Corpus Christi School (PK-8)
Corpus Christi School is a private Catholic elementary school serving Pre-K through 8th grade at 1512 Warwood Avenue, Wheeling, WV 26003, adjacent to the parish. The school has a notably low student-teacher ratio of 6:1 and follows the admission policy of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, giving priority to currently enrolled students, siblings, and contributing parish families before non-Catholic applicants.
- Principal: Mrs. Shannon Wall
- Athletic Director: Ryan Blake
- PTG President: Marla Blake
- Cafeteria Rental: Parish Office
Ministries and Organizations
Parish life at Corpus Christi is organized through a Pastoral Council and a Finance Council, supported by a wide range of lay-led ministries that serve worship, fellowship, and outreach. Newcomers are encouraged to contact the parish office to get involved.
- Pastoral Council — brings the parish Action Plan to reality.
- Finance Council — oversees parish finances and physical plant.
- Knights of Columbus — meets 4th Wednesday of the month.
- Ladies Guild — women's fellowship and service.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — outreach to those in need.
- Good Neighbor — hospitality and parish welcome.
- Food Baskets — food assistance for local families.
- Music Ministry — led by Music Director Mrs. Deborah Breiding.
- Children's Liturgy of the Word — offered at the 10:30 AM Sunday Mass.
Sacraments
Corpus Christi offers the full range of Roman Catholic sacraments. Families should contact the parish office for preparation programs and scheduling for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and Funeral Rites. Reconciliation is offered Saturday afternoons and by appointment.
Parish Identity and Diocese
Corpus Christi Parish is one of the parishes of the Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, the Latin-rite (Roman) diocese that covers the state of West Virginia. Its mission is summarized on the parish timeline: 'Here, thousands have been baptized, received First Communion and Confirmation, were married and had their funeral rites celebrated.' The parish remains rooted in nearly a century of Warwood Catholic life while continuing to renew its buildings and its call to discipleship.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Patrick Gilsenan1916–1921
First pastor, appointed June 16, 1916 by Bishop Patrick Donahue to organize the new parish.
- Rev. Edward Galway1921–1928
Second pastor.
- Rev. Arthur D. McSwiggan1928–1934
Third pastor.
- Rev. William J. Lee1934–1955
Fourth pastor. Rev. John S. Kelly served as Administrator Jan 30, 1934 – May 1934.
- Rev. Msgr. Edmund J. Yahn1955–1972
Fifth pastor.
- Rev. Daniel Kirwin1972–1976
Sixth pastor; earlier (1961) helped Archbishop Swint establish the Diocesan Scholarship Association.
- Rev. John J. O'Connell1976–1979
Seventh pastor.
- Rev. A. James Myles1979–1998
Eighth pastor.
- Rev. Msgr. Eugene Ostrowski1998–2018
Ninth pastor.
- Fr. Paul Mundumoozhikkaranirappel, C.S.T.2018–
Tenth pastor (transitional figure referenced in parish timeline).