About Our Lady of Peace · Wheeling, West Virginia
Our Lady of Peace Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Mount Olivet neighborhood of Wheeling, West Virginia, within the Diocese of Wheeling–Charleston. Founded in 1962 under Bishop Joseph H. Hodges, the parish is 'nestled on the hill' and bills itself as a faith family circled in God's love and the love of the Blessed Mother. The parish shares its campus and mission with Our Lady of Peace Parish School (Pre-K through Grade 5), and a robust slate of ministries serves parishioners from the Sunday Vigil Mass through weekday devotions, school support, and outreach to the homebound.
- Established
- 1962
- Patron
- Our Lady of Peace (Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. Tijo George
- Diocese
- Diocese of Wheeling–Charleston
Why belong here
Our Lady of Peace offers the full rhythm of Catholic parish life in a close-knit, multi-generational community. Weekend Mass is celebrated Saturday Vigil at 5:00 p.m. and Sunday at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m., with a Wednesday evening Mass at 6:00 p.m. followed by the Novena of the Miraculous Medal and a Tuesday morning Mass. Families benefit from an on-site parish school and a Parish School of Religion (PSR) for public-school students; the faith formation of children is a clear pillar. Newcomers are warmly welcomed by a Hospitality Committee and the parish's many small groups — Knights of Columbus, Ladies Auxiliary, Rosary Altar Society, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), choir, and a Camillus Society that brings the Eucharist to the homebound — making it easy to plug in.
Mass times at Our Lady of Peace
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 4:00–4:45 pm (before Vigil Mass)
- Wednesdays 5:00–5:45 pm (before evening Mass)
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Saturday 4:00 pm (Adoration and Divine Mercy Chaplet)
- Wednesday 5:00–6:00 pm (Adoration, followed by 5:45 pm Solemn Benediction)
Welcome and Parish Identity
Our Lady of Peace Parish describes itself as 'a faith family circled in God's love and the love of the precious Blessed Mother – Our Lady of Peace.' The parish sits 'nestled on the hill' in Mount Olivet, and newcomers are invited to make Our Lady of Peace their home. The mission statement, shared by pastor, principal, faculty, students, parents, and parishioners, is summarized in the acronym PEACE: Prayer; Encouragement and Example; Academic Excellence; Community, Commitment, Covenant; and Esteem for ourselves and others — 'our Peace Plan.'
- Pastor: Rev. Tijo George
- Mission: Prayer, Encouragement & Example, Academic Excellence, Community/Commitment/Covenant, Esteem (PEACE)
- Parish school partner: Our Lady of Peace Parish School (www.olpschool.org)
- Website is available in Spanish
History of the Parish
The parish was established in 1962 under Bishop Joseph H. Hodges, who became the fifth Bishop of Wheeling upon the death of Archbishop John J. Swint during the opening of Vatican II. Rev. Robert Lee was the founding pastor. In November 1991 the parish opened its 'Peace Family Center,' deepening its parish/school partnership. Today it remains an active parish in the Diocese of Wheeling–Charleston, sharing its campus with the parish school.
- Founded 1962
- Founding pastor: Rev. Robert Lee
- Peace Family Center opened November 1991
Parish Ministries and Groups
Our Lady of Peace lists more than two dozen ministries and groups that meet, pray, and serve. They range from formal parish councils to outreach groups that bring the Eucharist to the homebound, prepare funeral luncheons, or coordinate the church building's care. The parish is small enough that 'no-meeting' ministries are common — members serve on their own schedule.
- Camillus Society (Eucharist to homebound)
- Church Cleaning Crew
- Communication Ministry (greeting cards)
- Funeral Luncheon Committee
- Infant of Prague Society
- Knights of Columbus (1st Monday monthly)
- Ladies Auxiliary of K of C (4th Monday, excluding Jan/Feb/Jun/Jul)
- Liturgical Ministries (Altar Servers, Readers, EMHCs, Sacristans, Ushers)
- Parish Choir
- Parish Council (2nd Thursday monthly)
- Parish Finance Council (4th Tuesday monthly)
- PSR (Parish School of Religion, Sundays 9:20–10:20 am, Sept–May)
- Prayer Support
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, Sept–March)
- Rosary Altar Society
- Social Committee
- Welcome & Hospitality Committee
Faith Formation and Sacramental Preparation
Faith formation is offered through the Parish School of Religion (PSR), which serves parish children attending public school with religious instruction and sacrament preparation on Sundays from 9:20 to 10:20 a.m., September through May. Adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church are served by OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), with classes running September through March. Sacramental Preparation is listed as a standalone ministry supporting families through Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation.
- PSR: Sundays 9:20–10:20 am, September–May
- OCIA: September–March
- Sacramental Preparation ministry
Parish School Partnership
Our Lady of Peace Parish shares its campus and mission with Our Lady of Peace Parish School (Pre-K through Grade 5). The parish's PEACE mission — Prayer, Encouragement and Example, Academic Excellence, Community/Commitment/Covenant, and Esteem — was crafted jointly by pastor, principal, faculty, students, parents, and parishioners. Friday 8:30 a.m. School Masses are celebrated during the school year, and the school is an active partner in Vacation Bible School and parish-wide events.
- Parish school: Our Lady of Peace Parish School (www.olpschool.org)
- Friday 8:30 am School Mass during school year
- Joint PEACE mission with school
Music and Liturgy
Music at Our Lady of Peace is led by a small team that supports weekend Masses, Holy Days, weddings, and funerals. The parish choir leads occasional weekend Masses and the Christmas and Easter liturgies. Musicians are named on the parish website and can be reached through the parish office.
- Organist: Shaun Hancher ([email protected])
- Cantors: Anne Marie Potts, Keith Bonenberger
- Parish Choir leads weekend Masses and Christmas/Easter liturgies
Pastoral Leadership and Councils
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Tijo George, working with a Pastoral Board, Parish Council, and Parish Financial Committee that together oversee the spiritual, social, and financial life of the parish. The Pastoral Board includes the pastor as chairman ex officio and lay members from across the parish; the Parish Council meets on the second Thursday of each month.
- Pastor: Rev. Tijo George
- Pastoral Board: Fr. George (Pastor), Ray Thalman (Chairman), Bruce Wilson, Ed Yahn, Jack Schellhase, Greg Marquart, Paula Chappelear (Parish/School Accountant), Steve Roth
- Parish Council: Fr. George (Pastor), Sandee Wilson (President), Marilyn Thalman (Secretary), Tom Burke, Trey Dunlevy, Mike Gantzer, Sherri Mason, Marlene McGovern, Patricia Schane, Christina Zdilla
- Parish Financial Committee also listed
Outreach and Community Life
Beyond its councils, Our Lady of Peace supports a wide net of outreach: bringing the Eucharist to the homebound through the Camillus Society, supporting grieving families through the Bereavement Ministry and Funeral Luncheon Committee, providing transportation through the Shuttle Ministry, and praying for those in need through the Prayer Support ministry. The parish also hosts Vacation Bible School (Change Makers Lab, June 14–18, ages 4–Grade 5) and an annual parish picnic, and joins the diocese and community for blood drives and other events.
- Camillus Society (Eucharist to homebound)
- Shuttle Ministry
- Bereavement Ministry
- Funeral Luncheon Committee
- Prayer Support
- Ministry of the Sick and Homebound
- Ministry of the Poor
- Annual Parish Picnic and 50/50 Raffle
- Blood Drives
- Vacation Bible School (Change Makers Lab)
Getting Involved and Contact
Parishioners interested in joining a ministry are invited to call the parish office at 304-242-6579. The Welcome & Hospitality Committee greets visitors at weekend Masses, and the parish bulletin (archived on the website) carries the latest news on events, schedules, and sign-ups.
- Parish phone: 304-242-6579
- Address: 640 Old Fairmont Pike, Mount Olivet, Wheeling, WV 26003
- Bulletin archive available on olpwv.org
- Contact music director: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Robert Lee1962–
First pastor; parish established in 1962 under Bishop Joseph H. Hodges.