About St. Francis de Sales · Morgantown, West Virginia
St. Francis de Sales is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, located at 1 Guthrie Lane in Morgantown, West Virginia, just off Exit 1 of I-68. The parish community strives to live the Gospel in thought, word, and deed by sharing gifts of Love, Hospitality, Service, Financial Support, and Evangelization. It is served by Rev. Monsignor Anthony Cincinnati, STD, and Deacon Pierce Murphy, and is home to St. Francis Central Catholic School, an OCIA process for adults, a Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) for children in grades K-8, and sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation. The parish sits on land broken ground for in March 2002 alongside then-Bishop Bernard W. Schmitt, continuing a Morgantown Catholic presence that traces its roots to the original St. Francis de Sales church of 1898 in the Sunnyside neighborhood.
- Established
- 1901
- Patron
- St. Francis de Sales (patron of writers, journalists, and the deaf; Doctor of the Church)
- Rector
- Rev. Monsignor Anthony Cincinnati, STD, V.E.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston
Why belong here
St. Francis de Sales is a Eucharistic-centered Catholic community that welcomes newcomers with open arms, offering a clear path into the faith through its OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) classes that run from September through Pentecost. Families with children can plug into a Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) held between the Sunday morning Masses, sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation, and the parish school, St. Francis Central Catholic. The parish also lives its faith through concrete outreach — food, clothing, and support for Catholic Charities and Christian Help — and through a wide range of lay organizations (Knights of Columbus, Ladies of St. Francis, Adult and Resurrection Choirs, Ageless Wonders seniors group, and a Quilting ministry) that make it easy for adults to find community.
Mass times at St. Francis de Sales
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 4:00 – 4:45 pm
- Or by appointment
Welcome & Parish Identity
St. Francis de Sales describes itself as a Catholic community that 'strives to live the Gospel in thought, word, and deed by sharing our gifts of Love, Hospitality, Service, Financial Support and Evangelization.' Theologically the parish is rooted in the Eucharist — 'the source and summit of the Christian life' — and that Eucharistic center shapes everything from its daily Mass schedule to its sacramental preparation programs. The parish positions itself as a welcoming community with deep roots in Morgantown and north central West Virginia, committed to serving Christ by serving those in need both locally and globally through ministries that supply food, clothing, and financial support to organizations such as Catholic Charities and Christian Help.
- Motto: Living the Gospel with Faith, Love, Hospitality, and Service
- Core values: Love, Hospitality, Service, Financial Support, Evangelization
- Eucharist-centered spirituality
History of St. Francis de Sales in Morgantown
The Catholic community that became St. Francis de Sales began in the late 1890s around the Sunnyside (Seneca) neighborhood, where European glass-factory immigrants longed for their own parish. In 1897, Mrs. Joseph Stenger petitioned the Bishop of Wheeling, and Bishop Patrick J. Donahue purchased land and dedicated the first church on July 17, 1898 — the first Catholic place of worship in Monongalia County. By the end of 1901, Swiss-born Fr. C. J. Kluser was installed as the first permanent pastor. As the congregation grew, the parish relocated in 1924 to Beechurst Avenue, then to University Avenue, then to Westover, and finally to its present home on Guthrie Lane south of Morgantown on US 119.
- 1897 — Mrs. Joseph Stenger petitions Bishop of Wheeling
- July 17, 1898 — Bishop Donahue dedicates the first church
- 1901 — Fr. C. J. Kluser appointed first permanent pastor
- 1924 — Parish relocates to Beechurst Avenue
- March 3, 2002 — Bishop Bernard W. Schmitt breaks ground at current Guthrie Lane site
- Original 1898 church: Carpenter Gothic wood-frame, white siding, pointed-arch stained glass
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is led by Rev. Monsignor Anthony Cincinnati, STD, V.E., Pastor, who also serves as the designated pastor for St. Francis Central Catholic School. He is assisted by Deacon Pierce Murphy. The parish staff includes an Operations Coordinator, Office Assistant, Director of Religious Education / Safe Environment Coordinator, Director of Liturgical Music, Parish Organist, Accounting/Finance, Facilities/Maintenance Coordinator, and Technology Coordinator.
- Rev. Monsignor Anthony Cincinnati, STD, V.E. — Pastor
- Rev. Mr. Pierce Murphy — Deacon
- April Lawrence — Parish Operations Coordinator
- Judy Pazerski — Office Assistant
- Karen Modzik, M.Ed. — DRE / Safe Environment Coordinator
- Julia Giuliani, MM — Director of Liturgical Music
- Donna Kinsey — Parish Organist
- Janet Lawrence, CPA — Accounting / Finance
- Richard Bell — Facilities / Maintenance Coordinator
- Robert Phipps — Technology Coordinator
Mass & Sacrament Schedule
Mass is celebrated daily at St. Francis de Sales. Weekend Masses are Saturday at 5:15 pm (anticipated) and Sunday at 8:00 am and 10:00 am. Weekday Masses are held in the Daily Mass Chapel (side door to the left of the front entrance) Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 8:30 am, Wednesday at 7:00 pm, and Friday at 7:30 am; school Masses are typically celebrated on Thursdays. Reconciliation is heard Saturdays from 4:00 to 4:45 pm and by appointment.
- Weekend: Sat 5:15 pm vigil; Sun 8 am & 10 am
- Weekdays: Mon/Tue/Thu 8:30 am; Wed 7 pm; Fri 7:30 am
- Confessions: Sat 4:00–4:45 pm or by appointment
- Mass intention stipends: weekday $10 / weekend $25 / Bread, Wine & Candle $25
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at St. Francis de Sales goes 'more than just Sunday school,' encompassing parish-wide classes, sacramental prep, small-group study, and youth ministry. The Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) serves children in Grades K–8 every Sunday from 8:45–9:45 am, fitting neatly between the two morning Masses. Sacramental preparation includes First Reconciliation/First Communion (2nd grade) and a two-year Confirmation program. Children's Liturgy of the Word is offered during the 10 am Mass for ages 3 through 1st grade.
- PREP — Grades K–8, Sundays 8:45–9:45 am (Sep–Apr)
- First Communion preparation — 2nd grade
- Confirmation — 2-year program (8th grade religion + 9th grade Confirmation class)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word — ages 3 to Grade 1 at 10 am Mass
- OCIC — Order of Christian Initiation for Children (ages 7–14)
- Youth Ministries
Becoming Catholic — OCIA
The parish runs the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA), a discernment and preparation process for adults seeking baptism, full communion with the Catholic Church, or completion of Catholic initiation. Sessions are held weekly from September through Pentecost, including for unbaptized adults and baptized Christians from other denominations, and culminate in the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter.
- OCIA for adults — weekly, September through Pentecost
- OCIC for children ages 7–14
- Inquiry and ongoing Q&A sessions offered year-round
- Contact: Parish Office or DRE Karen Modzik
St. Francis Central Catholic School
The parish is home to St. Francis Central Catholic School, a regional K-8 Catholic elementary school whose advisory council draws representatives from multiple area parishes including St. Mary's, St. John's, St. Luke's, and St. Francis de Sales. Monsignor Cincinnati serves as the designated pastor on the school board, and the school is led by a principal who sits on the advisory council. The school shares the Guthrie Lane campus and is integrated into parish life, including weekly School Masses typically celebrated on Thursdays.
- Phone: 304-291-5070
- Parish-based K-8 school
- Regional draw: St. Mary's, St. John's, St. Luke's, St. Francis de Sales
- School Masses typically on Thursdays
- Annual Advisory Council with parish representatives
Parish Organizations & Lay Life
St. Francis de Sales has a rich tapestry of lay organizations that meet on a regular cadence throughout the month. From the Ladies of St. Francis (first Sunday after the 8:30 am Mass) and the Knights of Columbus (2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 7:45 pm) to the Ageless Wonders seniors group and a Quilting ministry, parishioners of every age and stage can find a community within the parish. Governance is supported by a Pastoral Council (3rd Thursday), Finance Council (quarterly), School Board, and P.T.O.
- Ladies of St. Francis — 1st Sunday after 8:30 am Mass
- Knights of Columbus — 2nd & 4th Wed., 7:45 pm
- 4th Degree K. of C. — 3rd Wed., 7 pm
- Ageless Wonders (seniors) — 2nd Sun., 2 pm, Sep–Apr
- Adult & Resurrection Choirs — Tue 7 pm
- Quilting — 2nd & 4th Thursday
- Pastoral Council — 3rd Thursday
- Finance Council — quarterly
- School Board — 3rd Mon., 5:30 pm
- P.T.O. — 2nd Mon., 7 pm
- Cemetery Committee — April–September
Music & Liturgical Life
Liturgical music is a notable strength of the parish, led by a Director of Liturgical Music (Julia Giuliani, MM) and a Parish Organist (Donna Kinsey), and supported by both an Adult Choir and a Resurrection Choir that rehearse on Tuesdays at 7 pm. The parish livestreams Sunday Mass on its YouTube channel for those unable to attend in person.
- Director of Liturgical Music: Julia Giuliani, MM
- Parish Organist: Donna Kinsey
- Adult Choir & Resurrection Choir — Tue 7 pm
- Music Room phone: 304-296-9710
- Sunday Mass livestreamed on YouTube
Outreach & Charity
The parish lives out its mission through tangible service. It supports Catholic Charities and Christian Help of Morgantown, providing food, clothing, and financial assistance to those in need both locally and globally. The parish's own ministries and organizations — Knights of Columbus, Ladies of St. Francis, Quilting, and the Cemetery Committee — extend this outreach into hands-on parish life.
- Food and clothing assistance
- Support for Catholic Charities (Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston)
- Support for Christian Help of Morgantown
- Parish-based service through KC, Ladies of St. Francis, Quilting ministry
Sacraments at the Parish
Beyond the Eucharist celebrated daily, St. Francis de Sales offers the full range of Catholic sacraments. Reconciliation is heard Saturdays 4:00–4:45 pm. First Communion preparation is for 2nd graders (including those at the parish school), and Confirmation is a two-year program rooted in 8th-grade religious education. Baptism, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders requests can be made through the parish office.
- Eucharist — daily Mass
- Penance & Reconciliation — Sat 4:00–4:45 pm or by appointment
- Confirmation — 2-year program (8th & 9th grade)
- First Reconciliation / First Communion — 2nd grade
- Baptism — by arrangement through the parish office
- Marriage, Anointing, Holy Orders — contact parish office
Visit, Register & Contact
Newcomers can easily register online through Flocknote, a secure platform the parish uses to track family contact information, communicate parish news and ministry opportunities, and set up online giving. The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The church is located just off Exit 1 of I-68 (right onto US 119 south, first left onto Guthrie Lane), with ample parking and full handicap accessibility.
- Online registration via Flocknote
- Parish Office hours: M–F, 9 am–5 pm
- Address: 1 Guthrie Lane, Morgantown, WV 26508
- Parish Office: 304-296-5353
- Music Room: 304-296-9710
- School: 304-291-5070
- Ample parking; handicap accessible
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. C. J. (Charles Joseph) Kluser1901–
Swiss immigrant; first permanent pastor of the original St. Francis de Sales parish in Morgantown (the 1901 entry in the diocesan history).