About Epiphany of the Lord · Moorefield, West Virginia
Epiphany of the Lord is a small Roman Catholic parish serving the Potomac Highlands community of Moorefield, West Virginia, founded in 1980 and entrusted to the Diocese of Wheeling–Charleston. The parish shares pastoral coverage with two nearby communities — St. Mary's in Petersburg and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Franklin — all served by Father José Manuel Escalante. Faithful gather at the parish church on State Route 55 for weekend Masses in both English and Spanish, reflecting the area's growing Hispanic Catholic presence, along with weekday Mass and faith formation offerings.
- Established
- 1980
- Patron
- Epiphany of the Lord (the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles, celebrated on January 6)
- Rector
- Rev. José Manuel Escalante
- Diocese
- Diocese of Wheeling–Charleston
Why belong here
Epiphany of the Lord is a small, faith-strong parish that welcomes visitors to its liturgy in both English and Spanish, making it a rare bilingual Catholic presence in the rural Potomac Highlands. The parish offers a full weekly schedule — Thursday noon Mass, Saturday Vigil, and two Sunday Masses (English at 8 AM, Spanish at noon) — along with Hispanic faith formation on Fridays, Stations of the Cross in Lent, and the pastoral attentiveness of a priest who also serves the neighboring Catholic communities of Petersburg and Franklin.
Mass times at Epiphany of the Lord
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- After Thursday Mass
- By appointment
Parish Identity & Diocese
Epiphany of the Lord Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Moorefield, Hardy County, West Virginia, belonging to the Diocese of Wheeling–Charleston. The parish was founded in 1980 and is dedicated to the Epiphany — the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, traditionally commemorated on January 6 (transferred to a Sunday in the U.S. liturgical calendar). Its patron identity as a place of gathering for English- and Spanish-speaking Catholics in the rural Potomac Highlands is the defining feature of the community today.
- Diocese: Wheeling–Charleston
- Founded: 1980
- Patron feast: Epiphany of the Lord (January 6)
Pastor & Clergy
The parish is currently served by Rev. José Manuel Escalante, who is Pastor of Epiphany of the Lord and also serves as Temporary Administrator of nearby St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Franklin and St. Mary in Petersburg (appointed January 12, 2026 by Bishop Mark Brennan). Father Escalante was originally named to develop ministry to Hispanic Catholics in the Moorefield and Petersburg areas effective June 19, 2024, and was elected to a three-year term on the Diocesan Presbyteral Council for 2024–2027.
- Rev. José Manuel Escalante — Pastor (since 2024)
- Contact cell: 304-719-1336
- Email: [email protected]
Hispanic Ministry & Bilingual Community
A defining dimension of Epiphany of the Lord is its ministry to Spanish-speaking Catholics in the Potomac Highlands. A weekly Hispanic Faith Formation session meets on Fridays at 5:00 PM, and one of the two Sunday Masses — 12:00 noon — is celebrated in Spanish. The parish was explicitly identified by Bishop Brennan as a hub for developing Hispanic ministry across the Moorefield and Petersburg region when Father Escalante was assigned in 2024.
- Spanish-language Sunday Mass at 12:00 PM
- Friday Hispanic Faith Formation at 5:00 PM
- Diocesan mandate to develop Hispanic ministry in the region
Potomac Highlands Catholic Community
Epiphany of the Lord is one of three parishes that make up the Potomac Highlands Catholic community, joined by St. Mary's in Petersburg (4 Grant Street) and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Franklin (545 Walnut Street). The shared website potomachighlandwvcatholic.org describes them as 'small but our faith is strong,' and the parishes coordinate liturgy, faith formation, and pastoral care under a single priest team, sharing a general office email and supporting the diocesan Sharing Appeal together.
- Epiphany of the Lord — Moorefield (2029 Co. Rte. 55/7)
- St. Mary — Petersburg (4 Grant Street)
- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton — Franklin (545 Walnut Street)
- Shared pastor: Rev. José Manuel Escalante
Visiting & Practical Information
The parish warmly welcomes visitors. It is located on State Route 55 (County Route 55/7), north of Moorefield city, with the church described as 'right beyond Moorefield City.' The parish can be reached by phone at (304) 434-2547, and emails are answered at [email protected]. Father Escalante can also be reached directly on his cell at 304-719-1336 or by email at [email protected].
- Address: 2029 State Road 55, Moorefield, WV 26836
- Phone: (304) 434-2547
- Email: [email protected]
- Pastor cell: 304-719-1336
- Pastor email: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Adalbert J. Wolski, T.O.R.1990–1991
Listed in the Official Catholic Directory as assigned to Epiphany of the Lord, Moorefield, WV during 1990–1991.
- Rev. José Manuel Escalante2024–present
Appointed by Bishop Mark Brennan effective June 19, 2024 to develop Hispanic ministry in the Moorefield/Petersburg area as parochial vicar, and named Pastor of Epiphany of the Lord. On January 12, 2026 he was additionally named Temporary Administrator of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (Franklin) and St. Mary (Petersburg).