About St. Anthony · Charleston, West Virginia
St. Anthony Parish is a Catholic community located on Charleston's west side at the corner of Sixth and Russell streets. Founded in 1908 as a national parish for Polish-descent workers at the Kelly Ax factory, it was originally named St. Ladislaus before being rededicated to St. Anthony of Padua in 1920. From its founding until 2015 the parish was served by Capuchin Franciscan Friars; today it is administered by Rev. Fr. Thomas Dharelli, H.G.N., of the Heralds of Good News (St. John Paul II Province, India). The parish belongs to the Diocese of Wheeling–Charleston and continues the Franciscan heritage that shaped its identity, school, and stained-glass windows.
- Established
- 1908
- Patron
- St. Anthony of Padua
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Thomas Dharelli, H.G.N. (Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Wheeling–Charleston
Why belong here
St. Anthony is a small, historically rich parish where the Franciscan heritage is visible in the stained glass, in the welcome, and in the rhythm of parish life. Members gather for a Sunday Rosary before Mass, weekday Masses three days a week, monthly First Friday adoration, and a parish center that hosts young-adult gatherings, movie nights, the Quo Vadis retreat, Camp Carlo (a faith and friendship program), and even an Italy pilgrimage. With a permanent deacon, a parish council, and a music-ministry coordinator supported by an active staff, it is a close-knit community where newcomers are known by name.
Mass times at St. Anthony
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Adoration times
- First Friday of the month: 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Parish History
Founded in 1908 as a national parish for Polish-descent workers at the Kelly Ax factory, the community was first named St. Ladislaus. A decade later, with most Polish families having moved away, it was reorganized as a territorial parish and in 1920 took St. Anthony of Padua as its patron. The Capuchin Franciscan Friars served the parish from the beginning until June 2015.
- 1908: Established as 'St. Ladislaus'
- 1920: Rededicated to St. Anthony of Padua
- 1922: St. Anthony School opened (nuns arrived 1923)
- 1935–1969: Pastorate of Father Cuthbert Schoeppner, O.F.M. Cap.
- 1955: Present church built and dedicated
- 1966: Rectory built across the street
- 1976: Last Stella Franciscan nuns departed
- 1981: Gymnasium / kitchen-cafeteria addition built
- 2011: School closed; original building demolished
- 2015: Capuchins recalled to Pittsburgh; parish returned to diocesan clergy
Franciscan Heritage
The Capuchins trace their origins to St. Francis of Assisi (1182–1226) and became a separate branch of the Franciscan Order in 1525. They were invited to West Virginia to provide pastoral care, first at Sacred Heart Church (east of the Elk River) in 1901 and then at the newly formed St. Ladislaus parish west of the river in 1908. Many of the friars — including several who served St. Anthony — were Bavarian immigrants who brought traditional Franciscan values and a strong commitment to Catholic education. After the Capuchins returned administration of Sacred Heart to diocesan clergy in 1980, St. Anthony became the center of Capuchin Franciscan life in Southern West Virginia, a heritage still visible in the church's stained-glass windows.
- St. Francis of Assisi
- St. Clare of Assisi
- St. Elizabeth of Hungary
- St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen
Church Architecture & Stained Glass
The present church was built and dedicated in 1955 in a modernized Romanesque style. Its stained-glass windows were designed by Father Cuthbert Schoeppner and manufactured by Pittsburgh Stained Glass Studios. The choir loft features a large window honoring St. Anthony of Padua, the patron of the parish.
- Choir-loft window: St. Anthony of Padua
- One side: St. Francis of Assisi, St. Clare of Assisi, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen
- Other side: St. Ladislaus, St. Maria Goretti, Our Lady of Fatima, St. Pius X
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish is administered by Rev. Fr. Thomas Dharelli, H.G.N., of the Heralds of Good News (St. John Paul II Province, India), and is supported by a Permanent Deacon and a small staff.
- Rev. Fr. Thomas Dharelli, H.G.N. — Administrator / Pastor
- Rev. Mr. David Wuletich — Permanent Deacon
- Sr. Mary Irene Sorber, S.C.C., MS. — Coordinator of Music Ministries
- Susan Bossie-Maddox — Events Coordinator
- Debra Sisler — Office Manager
- Kathy Scalise — Secretary
- Dan Lanham — (parish staff)
Pastoral Council
An active Pastoral Council helps guide parish life and decisions.
- Pat Booker
- Jennifer Burdette
- Rebecca Carroll
- Chris Joseph
Faith Formation, Youth & Adult Activities
St. Anthony runs a number of programs for children, young adults, and the wider parish family throughout the year.
- Camp Carlo – Faith and Friendship
- A shout out to Young Adults
- St. Anthony Movie Night (e.g., July 24 at 6:00 PM in the Parish Center)
- Quo Vadis Retreat
- Italy Pilgrimage
Parish Center & Facility Rentals
The Parish Center, located across the street from the church at 1027 6th Street, offers a fully equipped kitchen, dining area, and air-conditioned gymnasium. It is available for rent to parishioners and the public for baby showers, weddings, and basketball/volleyball tournaments. To inquire, contact Fr. Thomas Dharelli, H.G.N., or call the parish office at (304) 342-2716.
- Address: 1027 6th Street, Charleston, WV 25302
- Amenities: fully equipped kitchen, dining area, air-conditioned gymnasium
- Uses: baby showers, weddings, basketball & volleyball tournaments, parish events
- Contact: Fr. Thomas Dharelli, H.G.N. / Parish office (304) 342-2716
Diocese of Wheeling–Charleston
St. Anthony Parish belongs to the Diocese of Wheeling–Charleston. On May 1, 2026, the diocese announced the appointment of Bishop Evelio Menjivar-Ayala as its 10th Bishop.
- Diocese of Wheeling–Charleston
- Bishop Evelio Menjivar-Ayala — 10th Bishop (announced May 1, 2026)
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed. The parish office can be reached by phone, email, or in person at the church's west-side Charleston location.
- Address: 1000 6th Street, Charleston, WV 25302
- Phone: (304) 342-2716
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: stanthonywv.com
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Capuchin Franciscan Friars1908–June 2015
From the founding until June 2015, St. Anthony was served by the Capuchin Franciscan Friars (Province of St. Augustine, Pittsburgh). Many of the early friars were Bavarian immigrants.
- Father Cuthbert Schoeppner, O.F.M. Cap.1935–1969
35-year pastor who presided over the building of the present church (1955) and the rectory (1966); designed the parish's stained-glass windows.
- Rev. Fr. Thomas Dharelli, H.G.N.2015–present
Member of the Heralds of Good News, St. John Paul II Province, India; assumed administration of the parish when the Capuchins were recalled.