About St. Agnes Catholic Church · Shepherdstown, West Virginia
St. Agnes Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish located in the historic town of Shepherdstown, West Virginia — the oldest town in the state (incorporated 1743). Part of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, the parish counts roughly 550 families and traces its Catholic roots in Shepherdstown to 1795. The present church, dedicated on July 20, 2008 and designed in the distinctive mandorla (almond) shape as a 'liminal space' between heaven and earth, sits at the corner of Duke and New Streets. St. Agnes describes itself as an inclusive Catholic community dedicated to the love of God and service to others, welcoming new members from the Shepherdstown area and the wider Eastern Panhandle.
- Established
- 1891
- Patron
- St. Agnes of Rome (also honoring Agnes Gibson, 1853–1941)
- Rector
- Rev. Andrew Switzer
- Diocese
- Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston
Why belong here
St. Agnes is an inclusive Catholic community that welcomes visitors, newcomers, students at nearby Shepherd University, and longtime residents of the Eastern Panhandle into its liturgical and parish life. With weekend Masses Saturday evening and twice on Sunday, daily weekday Masses Tuesday through Friday, accessible Saturday Reconciliation, and a broad range of liturgical, formation, fellowship and service ministries (including a Homebound Committee, Parish Nursing and Wellness, Bereavement Committee, Coffee Service, altar servers, lectors, extraordinary ministers and hospitality ministers), the parish offers many ways to participate. As a member of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston serving about 550 families in and around historic Shepherdstown, St. Agnes invites Catholics new to the area to register so the parish can serve them more effectively.
Mass times at St. Agnes Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:30–5:00 PM (or by appointment)
- Communal Reconciliation: March 21 at 4 PM (seasonal)
Welcome
St. Agnes Catholic Church extends a warm welcome on behalf of its pastor, staff, and entire parish community. The parish is located in historic Shepherdstown, WV (founded 1743, the oldest town in West Virginia). On its Welcome page, St. Agnes states its mission: to be 'an inclusive Catholic community dedicated to the love of God and service to others,' rejoicing in the Gospel, the celebration of the Liturgy, and the Sacraments. Newcomers and Catholics new to the area are invited to register with the parish so they can be served more effectively; visitors are welcome to attend any Saturday or Sunday liturgy.
- St. Agnes Mission statement
- New parishioner registration available via office
- Located in historic Shepherdstown, WV (est. 1743)
Our History
The parish's history page chronicles more than two centuries of Catholic life in Shepherdstown. A 'weather-boarded church' on a four-acre hilltop lot hosted Mass celebrated by Father Denis Cahill of Hagerstown in 1795. The current parish took shape in the 1880s–1891s with the construction and consecration of the original St. Agnes Church on June 7, 1891 by Bishop Augustine Van de Vyver of Richmond. The parish grew steadily — gaining its first resident pastor, Fr. Robert Judge, SJ, in 1980; celebrating its centennial in 1988–89; and dedicating a striking new mandorla-shaped church at Duke and New Streets on July 20, 2008. The 1891 church was retained and renamed St. Agnes Chapel.
- Catholic presence since 1795; Father Denis Cahill's Mass
- 1795 deed from Abraham Shepherd for 'Roman Church and Burying Ground'
- 1820 transition from Archdiocese of Baltimore to Diocese of Richmond
- 1830 resident pastor for Harpers Ferry and Martinsburg; Shepherdstown Mass on 5th Sundays
- 1880s–1891: build, fundraise and consecrate the original church
- June 7, 1891 consecration by Bishop Van de Vyver; 80 souls
- Named for St. Agnes of Rome and Agnes Gibson (1853–1941)
- 1974: Eastern Panhandle joins new Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston
- 1980: Fr. Robert Judge, SJ, first resident pastor and campus minister
- 1988–89: parish centennial celebrations
- Summer 1993: Fr. T. Mathew Rowgh becomes pastor
- July 20, 2008: new church dedicated; 1891 church becomes St. Agnes Chapel
Parish Life and Ministry
The parish frames its life around four elements: Worship, Formation, Service, and Community. Parishioners are encouraged to become involved by joining one or more of the ministries and groups listed across the site. Active members lead and manage, while volunteers serve on an as-needed basis. A Parish Life A–Z page provides the full directory of ways to get involved.
- Worship (liturgical ministries)
- Formation (lifelong faith learning)
- Service (works of charity and justice)
- Community (fellowship and parish family)
Liturgical Ministries
Overseen by the Associate of Liturgy Ministry, Helen Harris ([email protected]), St. Agnes's liturgical ministries support the full, conscious, and active participation of the worshipping community. Training is provided for those who need it, and the time commitment varies by ministry.
- Sacristan / Mass Coordinator
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (Eucharistic Ministers)
- Bread and Cup Ministry to the Homebound
- Lectors
- Hospitality Ministers
- Altar Servers
- Music and Art in the liturgical space
Fellowship Ministries
Fellowship ministries build community through prayer, presence and practical care. The Coffee Service Committee hosts hospitality after every weekend Mass; the Homebound Committee visits elderly or ill parishioners; Parish Nursing and Wellness offers health education and screenings; and the Bereavement Committee supports grieving families with receptions and the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy.
- Homebound Committee (Chair: Judy Lilga)
- Parish Nursing and Wellness (Chair: Gabriele Davis)
- Bereavement Committee (Chair: Jan Yates)
- Coffee Service Committee (Chair: Chuck Pierpont)
Parish Staff and Leadership
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Andrew Switzer, as confirmed by a Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston announcement dated May 23, 2025. Fr. Switzer also serves on the Diocesan Presbyteral Council. Liturgical life is coordinated by the Associate of Liturgy Ministry, Helen Harris. The parish office can be reached at (304) 876-6436 or [email protected]. Fr. T. Mathew Rowgh, who became pastor in 1993 and led the planning and construction of the 2008 church, is associated with the parish in a pastoral emeritus capacity.
- Rev. Andrew Switzer — Pastor
- Helen Harris — Associate of Liturgy Ministry
- Fr. T. Mathew Rowgh — Pastor (1993–)
- Parish Office: (304) 876-6436
Columbarium and Memorial Garden
St. Agnes operates a Columbarium and Memorial Garden where parishioners and families can reserve a niche 'for all time' or arrange a memorial. Information on reserving a niche and the parish's Memorial Program — including commemorative gift cards featuring the image of the St. Agnes Mosaic — is available on the parish website. The parish also lists upcoming funerals on a dedicated page; the funeral address is given as 200 S Duke St, Shepherdstown, WV.
- Reserve Your Niche 'For All Time'
- Memorial Program gift cards
- St. Agnes Mosaic featured on memorial cards
- Upcoming Funerals page (200 S Duke St)
Faith, Service and Outreach
The parish's Service arm reflects 'works of charity and justice,' understood as a constitutive part of parish life. Through service, parishioners administer to the needs of others for peace, justice, and human development. Practical expressions include the Bread and Cup Ministry to the Homebound (delivering the Eucharist to parishioners in nursing homes or who are homebound), Homebound visits, transportation to medical appointments, cooked meals and minor home repairs, and Parish Nursing health education and screenings.
- Bread and Cup Ministry to the Homebound
- Homebound Committee visits and practical help
- Parish Nursing and Wellness screenings and education
- Bereavement support (receptions, prayers, Works of Mercy)
Forms, Documents and Practical Information
The parish maintains a St. Agnes Forms and Documents page with parish paperwork. The parish also offers gift cards in memory or honor as part of its Memorial Program; the front of each card features the image of the St. Agnes Mosaic.
- St. Agnes Forms and Documents page
- Gift cards in Memory or Honor
- St. Agnes Mosaic commemorative image
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Denis Cahill (of Hagerstown)1795
Celebrated Mass in Shepherdstown at the early 'weather-boarded church'
- Fr. Robert Judge, SJ1980
First resident pastor and campus minister to Shepherd College; Trinitarian Fathers from Charles Town had been engaged in ministry to Catholic students at Shepherd before him
- Fr. T. Mathew RowghSummer 1993 –
Pastor who led the 2001 planning process and the construction of the new church dedicated in 2008
- Rev. Andrew SwitzerCurrent (as of 2025)
Current pastor per Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston announcement of May 23, 2025; also elected to a one-year term on the Diocesan Presbyteral Council effective Dec. 31, 2024