About Holy Protection of Mother of God [Ruthenian] · Morgantown, West Virginia
Holy Protection of the Mother of God is a Byzantine (Ruthenian) Catholic parish in Morgantown, West Virginia, affectionately known by longtime locals as "St. Mary's." Founded in 1915 by Eastern European immigrants drawn to West Virginia's steel mills, the parish belongs to the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh and celebrates the Byzantine Divine Liturgy — typically in English — from a church building constructed in 1918 that still serves the faithful today, complete with a distinctive onion dome visible from Interstate 68. The current pastor is Father Kyprian Wojciechowski, and the parish is known for its warm, intergenerational community, its annual St. Mary's Ethnic Food Festival, summertime bingo and picnic gatherings, and its patient introduction of newcomers to the Eastern Catholic liturgical tradition.
- Established
- 1915
- Patron
- Holy Protection of the Mother of God (Theotokos)
- Rector
- Father Kyprian Wojciechowski
- Diocese
- Archeparchy of Pittsburgh (Ruthenian Metropolitanate sui juris of Pittsburgh)
Why belong here
Holy Protection of the Mother of God is a small but deeply rooted Byzantine (Ruthenian) Catholic parish where you can experience the Eastern Christian liturgical heritage — formed in the Carpathian Mountains — within full communion with the Holy See. The parish intentionally welcomes first-timers and Roman Catholics curious about the Divine Liturgy, and offers a tight-knit community life through its Eastern Christian Formation program, Adult Education classes, the St. Mary's Ethnic Food Festival in mid-August, and Summertime Bingo and Picnic gatherings in June, July, and August. With a pastor and congregation known for their patient introduction of newcomers, this is an ideal place to belong if you are seeking a distinctive Catholic spiritual home in the Morgantown area.
Mass times at Holy Protection of Mother of God [Ruthenian]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- By appointment (per the official parish website)
- Sunday 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM (per the parish's published schedule on third-party listing services)
- After Sunday Liturgy
- Before and after Lenten and weekday services
About the Parish
Holy Protection of the Mother of God is a Byzantine (Ruthenian) Catholic parish in Morgantown, West Virginia, commonly called "St. Mary's." The parish belongs to the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh and proclaims salvation through an ever-increasing union with Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Eastern Catholic liturgical tradition. While the church has no ethnic exclusivity, its liturgical and spiritual heritage was formed in the Carpathian Mountain region of Eastern Europe, and services are held in English. The parish actively welcomes first-time visitors to the Divine Liturgy.
- Byzantine (Ruthenian) Catholic parish in full communion with the Holy See
- Locally known as "St. Mary's"
- Services held in English
- Welcomes newcomers and Roman Catholics curious about the Eastern tradition
History
The parish was organized in 1915 by approximately 100 European immigrants under the leadership of Rev. Theophile Zatkovich. In 1918 the pioneers built a permanent church structure — the same building that serves the faithful today. After facing many transitions (with 26 pastors serving over the years, many of them non-resident), the community has continued to grow. Major physical milestones include the loss of property to Interstate 68 in the early 1970s, the 1972 addition of a rectory and hall, the 1983 installation of a landmark onion dome, the addition of a handicapped-accessible ramp and front vestibule in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and a more recent hall addition for parish social life.
- 1915: Parish organized by ~100 immigrants under Rev. Theophile Zatkovich
- 1918: Permanent church building constructed
- 1923: Founding pastor departs; later becomes first chancellor of the Exarchate of Pittsburgh
- Early 1970s: Property and rectory lost to construction of Interstate 68
- 1972: Rectory added to church; hall built underneath
- 1983: Original dome replaced with onion dome (visible from I-68)
- Late 1980s–early 1990s: Handicapped-accessible ramp and front vestibule added
- Most recent: Hall addition for social gatherings
Clergy & Hierarchy
The parish is currently served by Father Kyprian Wojciechowski as priest, under the pastoral care of the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, currently led by His Grace Metropolitan Archbishop William. The founding pastor, Rev. Theophile Zatkovich, served from 1915 to 1923 and went on to become the first chancellor of the newly created Exarchate of Pittsburgh. To date, 26 pastors — many of them non-resident — have served the parish.
- Father Kyprian Wojciechowski — current priest
- His Grace Metropolitan Archbishop William — Archeparchy of Pittsburgh
- Rev. Theophile Zatkovich — founding pastor (1915–1923); later first chancellor of the Exarchate of Pittsburgh
- 26 pastors have served the parish over its history
Divine Liturgy & Service Schedule
The parish celebrates the Byzantine Divine Liturgy, the Eastern Catholic form of the Mass. The principal weekly service is on Sunday morning, with additional midweek services on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month, and special Lenten services during The Great Fast.
- Sunday Divine Liturgy: 11:00 AM
- Weekday Divine Liturgy: 2nd & 4th Wednesday at 6:30 PM
- Great Fast (Lent) Wednesdays: 6:30 PM — Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
- Weekday services otherwise: see parish calendar
Religious Education & Adult Faith Formation
The parish runs an Eastern Christian Formation (ECF) program for its youth and an Adult Education program that meets before the Wednesday evening Divine Liturgy. ECF is coordinated by Ellen McCabe, who can be reached at 304-282-0431 (cell) or 304-296-3509 (home). Adult Education is offered at 5:30 PM, prior to the 6:30 PM Wednesday evening Divine Liturgy.
- Eastern Christian Formation (ECF) — youth religious education; coordinator Ellen McCabe (304-282-0431 cell / 304-296-3509 home)
- Adult Education — Wednesdays at 5:30 PM (before 6:30 PM Divine Liturgy)
Parish Life & Community Events
Beyond the liturgical life of the parish, the community gathers regularly for food, fellowship, and games. The signature event is the St. Mary's Ethnic Food Festival in mid-August, complemented by Summertime Bingo and Picnic afternoons on the middle Sunday of June, July, and August. These gatherings reflect the parish's roots as an immigrant community and its ongoing tradition of hospitality.
- St. Mary's Ethnic Food Festival — Sunday in mid-August (contact Ellen McCabe)
- Summertime Bingo and Picnic — middle Sunday of June, July, and August
- Parish hall addition supports larger social gatherings
Frequently Asked Questions for Visitors
The parish website includes an FAQ section specifically aimed at Roman Catholics and newcomers curious about the Byzantine Catholic tradition. Common questions cover how to join the Church, whether attending a Divine Liturgy satisfies the Sunday obligation, whether Roman Catholics may receive Holy Communion at a Byzantine parish, and what the Divine Liturgy is like compared to the Roman Mass. Initiation into the Christian Church is celebrated through Baptism, Chrismation, and First Holy Communion — speak with a clergyman after Liturgy to begin.
- Is your worship the same as Mass? — No; the Eastern form is called the Divine Liturgy (of St. John Chrysostom or St. Basil).
- Does attending a Divine Liturgy satisfy my Sunday obligation? — Yes, it does.
- I'm Roman Catholic. Can I receive Holy Communion here? — Yes; Communion is given from a spoon — tilt your head back, open wide, and do not stick out your tongue.
- I'm not Catholic, how do I join? — Speak with clergy after Liturgy; initiation is through Baptism, Chrismation, and First Holy Communion.
- What is the Divine Liturgy like? — Sung throughout, oriented to represent Heaven and Earth, with an iconostas (icon screen) separating the altar from the nave and bearing the patron saint and typically St. Nicholas.
Contact & Location
The parish is located on Listravia Avenue in Morgantown, West Virginia, with the church's distinctive onion dome visible from Interstate 68. Inquiries and appointments can be made by phone or email, and the official website is the best place to find the latest calendar and event information.
- Address: 2115 Listravia Avenue, Morgantown, WV 26505
- Phone: 304-296-2455
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://holyprotectionwv.com/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Reverend Theophile Zatkovich1915–1923
Founding pastor; organized approximately 100 people to form the parish in 1915. He later became the first chancellor of the newly created Exarchate of Pittsburgh.