About St. Elizabeth · Philippi, West Virginia
St. Elizabeth Parish is a small Roman Catholic parish serving Philippi, West Virginia, in the Diocese of Wheeling–Charleston. The parish was first established in 1953 as a mission and was later raised to parish status with its own church building formally dedicated in the late 1980s by Auxiliary Bishop Bernard W. Schmitt. Today it ministers both to local residents and to the students of nearby Alderson-Broaddus University through its Catholic campus ministry, while offering weekday and Sunday Mass in the heart of Philippi's College Hill neighborhood.
- Established
- 1953
- Patron
- St. Elizabeth
- Rector
- Rev. Upendra Rayapudi
- Diocese
- Diocese of Wheeling–Charleston
Why belong here
St. Elizabeth is a welcoming small-town Catholic parish that combines traditional parish life with a vibrant Catholic campus ministry. Parishioners and visitors can attend Sunday Mass at 10:45 AM as well as weekday Mass on Wednesdays and Fridays, and the parish is home to the Newman Center serving Alderson-Broaddus University students on College Hill. With a dedicated pastor, an on-site Director of Religious Education, and a long history of Catholic presence in Philippi dating to 1953, it offers a close-knit community for families, college students, and anyone looking for a faithful Catholic home in Barbour County.
Mass times at St. Elizabeth
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Advent Penance Service
- Lenten Penance Service
- By appointment
History of St. Elizabeth Parish
St. Elizabeth Parish traces its origins to 1953, when the Diocese of Wheeling–Charleston established St. Elizabeth Mission in Philippi as an outreach of All Saints Parish in Bridgeport. The mission served Catholic families and students of Alderson-Broaddus College on College Hill for more than two decades before being raised to a full parish.
- 1953: St. Elizabeth Mission in Philippi established (mission of All Saints, Bridgeport).
- 1976: Mission elevated to parish status with Rev. Damian Drass, TOR, as first administrator.
- 1988: New church building dedicated at Philippi by Auxiliary Bishop Bernard W. Schmitt.
Parish Staff and Leadership
The parish is led by a pastor and supported by a lay Director of Religious Education who coordinates faith formation for children and adults.
- Director of Religious Education (DRE): Mr. Sam Santilli
- Diocese: Diocese of Wheeling–Charleston
Religious Education and Faith Formation
Faith formation for parish children and families is coordinated on-site by the Director of Religious Education, who works with the pastor to prepare students for the sacraments and to support ongoing catechesis in the parish.
- Director of Religious Education: Mr. Sam Santilli
- Contact the parish office for current program offerings and registration.
Catholic Campus Ministry — Alderson-Broaddus University
St. Elizabeth Parish is also the Catholic chaplaincy for Alderson-Broaddus University on College Hill. Students, faculty, and staff of the university are welcomed into the parish's sacramental life and are invited to participate in service opportunities and faith activities alongside parishioners.
- Chaplaincy: Alderson-Broaddus College (University), Philippi
- Newman Center location: College Hill
- Contact: (304) 457-2641
Visit and Contact
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed at Mass and can reach the parish office by phone or email during the week.
- Address: 19 College Hill, Philippi, WV 26416
- Phone: (304) 457-2641
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.saintelizabethphilippi.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Damian Drass, TOR1976–
First administrator when St. Elizabeth Mission was established as a parish.