About St. Francis Xavier · Parkersburg, West Virginia
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church is a historic Roman Catholic parish located at 532 Market Street in downtown Parkersburg, West Virginia, serving the Mid-Ohio Valley as one of the four original parishes of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston (originally the Diocese of Wheeling). The parish traces its roots to the first Catholic families who settled the area shortly after 1815, and its present Romanesque Revival church — designed by famed architect Patrick Charles Keely and built in 1867-1870 — is the oldest church building in Parkersburg and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (1978). With roughly 375 families and over 1,000 parishioners, the parish shares staff with neighboring St. Monica Parish in Lubeck, supports Parkersburg Catholic Elementary and High Schools, runs an OCIA (formerly RCIA) program, a parish choir, Knights of Columbus council, youth and young-adult ministry, the Stone Soup Kitchen outreach, and the Social Concerns Committee for emergency financial assistance.
- Established
- 1849 (first church cornerstone laid); parish officially named St. Francis Xavier in 1859; present church dedicated October 2, 1870
- Patron
- St. Francis Xavier
- Rector
- Rev. John Rice (Very Rev. John Rice, V.G., V.F.)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston (originally the Diocese of Wheeling, created July 19, 1850)
Why belong here
St. Francis Xavier offers a deep, historic Catholic community in the heart of downtown Parkersburg, worshipping in the oldest church building in the city — a National Register landmark whose murals are called 'the most significant examples of ecclesiastical art in West Virginia.' Worshippers find a full sacramental life: daily Mass, Saturday and Holy Hour confession, Eucharistic Adoration before Mass on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, plus a lively OCIA process, choir, funeral choir, and cantors. Families are supported by strong parish schools (Parkersburg Catholic Elementary and High School), a Middle and High School youth group, young-adult fellowship, Knights of Columbus council, and concrete outreach ministries like the weekly Stone Soup Kitchen meal and the Social Concerns Committee that helps neighbors with utilities and emergency prescriptions. Rooted in the work of the early missionaries along the Ohio River and named for St. Francis Xavier, the parish sees itself as modeling the saint in 'selflessly offer[ing] ourselves in service to God and one another.'
Mass times at St. Francis Xavier
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM - 4:45 PM
- Monday 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM (during Holy Hour)
- Friday 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM (during Holy Hour)
- By appointment (call parish office 304-422-6786)
Adoration times
- Monday 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM (Holy Hour, prior to 12:10 PM Mass)
- Wednesday one hour prior to the 7:00 PM Mass (approximately 6:00 PM)
- Friday 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM (Holy Hour, prior to 12:10 PM Mass)
Parish History
St. Francis Xavier traces its origins to the early Catholic settlement along the Ohio River in Wood County. Beginning with the 1815 arrival of the Joseph family near Belleville and Father James Reid's missionary visits in the 1830s, the parish grew from twelve charter families in 1850 to a thriving community of more than 375 families today. The present Romanesque Revival church, designed by Patrick Charles Keely and dedicated October 2, 1870, is the oldest church building in Parkersburg and a National Register landmark.
- 1836: First recorded Catholic baptisms in Wood County by Father James Reid (Henry Joseph and Daniel Wigal, June 4).
- 1845: Bishop Whelan appoints Rev. Austin Grogan, the 'Pioneer Priest of West Virginia,' to Parkersburg.
- 1849: Cornerstone of the first brick church laid October 27 by Rev. Robert J. Lawrence, first resident pastor.
- 1850 (April): First church dedicated; July 19 — Diocese of Wheeling created.
- 1857: Railroad arrives; parish then known as St. Mary's under Father Thomas Sheehan.
- 1858: Rev. Henry Parke appointed; 303 souls recorded in parish census.
- 1859: Parish renamed St. Francis Xavier; boys' school opened.
- 1864: Sisters of the Visitation establish an academy for young women.
- 1867-1870: Present Keely-designed Romanesque Revival church built; dedicated October 2, 1870.
- 1978: Massive restoration begun under Auxiliary Bishop James Michaels; church listed on National Register of Historic Places.
- 2000: Designated Jubilee pilgrimage site by Bishop Schmitt.
- 2002: Parish website (stx-pburg.org) launched.
The Church Building, Murals, and Architecture
The present St. Francis Xavier church is a Romanesque Revival structure designed by Patrick Charles Keely of New York and built in 1867-1870 by local contractor Lysander Dudley, with Joseph Deris as chief carpenter. The 200-foot bell tower is a defining feature of downtown Parkersburg. Inside, the walls are decorated with trompe-l'oeil murals painted by Daniel Muller of Munich — described by the WV Department of History and Culture as 'the most significant examples of ecclesiastical art in West Virginia.' Mass is also regularly live-streamed from the church.
- Romanesque Revival style with 200-foot bell tower.
- Architect: Patrick Charles Keely of New York.
- Construction: Lysander Dudley (contractor); Joseph Deris (chief carpenter).
- Murals: Daniel Muller, Munich-trained artist who previously painted the Church of the Gesu in Montreal (also a Keely design).
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, 1978.
- Wheelchair-accessible via ramp.
Sacraments
All seven sacraments of the Catholic Church are celebrated at St. Francis Xavier. Preparation for Baptism is by appointment; school-age sacraments (First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation) are prepared through the parish Faith Formation program and the parish schools. Couples seeking marriage should contact the parish office; anointing of the sick is offered as needed and communion for the homebound is coordinated through Sally McDonie (304-428-2651).
- Baptism — preparation classes by appointment
- Confirmation — see parish bulletin / contact the parish
- First Eucharist & First Reconciliation — for school-age children
- Marriage / Holy Orders — contact parish office
- Anointing of the Sick
- Communion for the sick and homebound
OCIA — Becoming Catholic
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (formerly R.C.I.A.) is the parish's formal process for welcoming new members into the Catholic Church. The four-step process — Inquiry, Catechumenate, Enlightenment/Purification, and Mystagogy — is supported by sponsors, catechists and a parish team. Sessions are held Sunday mornings. Contact Sherry West at 304-481-0969 for details. Seasonal Bible studies (for example on Sacred Scripture and the Prophets) round out adult formation.
- Pre-Catechumenate (Inquiry)
- Catechumenate
- Enlightenment / Purification (Lent)
- Mystagogy (post-Easter)
- Sponsor and catechist teams
- Contact: Sherry West, 304-481-0969
Music and Liturgical Ministries
St. Francis Xavier has an active music program. The Parish Choir sings every Sunday at the 10:30 AM Mass and at the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass and other major liturgical events; a separate Funeral Choir sings at Catholic funerals in area churches during the week. Cantors and Leaders of Song help the assembly join in sung prayer. All three musical groups welcome new members; contact music director Allan Zipf at 304-482-5978.
- Parish Choir (Sunday 10:30 AM, Christmas, special liturgies)
- Cantors / Leaders of Song
- Funeral Choir
- Contact: Allan Zipf, 304-482-5978
Parish Schools: Parkersburg Catholic
St. Francis Xavier supports two Catholic schools in the Mid-Ohio Valley: Parkersburg Catholic Elementary School (pre-school through grade 5) and Parkersburg Catholic High School (grades 6 through 12). The schools, which currently operate on two campuses, are moving toward a unified PreK-12 'Crusader Family' campus. Father John Rice serves as designated pastor of the high school in addition to his parish duties.
- Parkersburg Catholic Elementary School (PreK-5)
- Parkersburg Catholic High School (6-12)
- Designated Pastor: Very Rev. John Rice, V.F.
Youth, Young Adults, and Family Life
A full program of formation and fellowship is offered for every stage of life: youth group for Middle and High Schoolers meets Sundays 12:30-2:00 PM in the Parish Center; young adults (typically ages 18-39) gather the 1st and 3rd Saturday nights 7-9 PM at the St. Margaret Mary Office; women's and other Bible studies meet seasonally; OCIA meets Sunday mornings. Youth Minister Andrew Myers (304-801-0939, [email protected]) coordinates these efforts.
- Middle/High School Youth Group — Sundays 12:30-2:00, Parish Center
- Young Adults — 1st & 3rd Saturdays 7-9 PM at St. Margaret Mary
- Women's Bible Study (Prophets and other series)
- Youth Minister: Andrew Myers, 304-801-0939
Outreach: Social Concerns and Stone Soup Kitchen
Two long-running service ministries show the parish's commitment to the wider community. The Social Concerns Committee, housed at the Parish Center, provides financial assistance for utilities and emergency prescriptions to neighbors in Wood County — interviews and coordination happen Mondays and Wednesdays 10:00 AM to noon. The Stone Soup Kitchen serves a free Wednesday lunch (11:00 AM - 12:30 PM) at the Parish Center through a collaboration among Catholic Charities WV, St. Francis Xavier, St. Margaret Mary, St. Michael, and St. Monica. Volunteers must complete Virtus training.
- Social Concerns Committee — Mon & Wed 10 AM - 12 PM, Parish Center
- Stone Soup Kitchen — Wednesdays 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM, Parish Center
- Volunteer contact: Val Kula, 304-424-9339
- Virtus training required for volunteers
Parish Life: Knights, Rosary Altar Society, Welcome & Hospitality
Lay leadership and fellowship are central to parish life. Council 1010 Market Street of the Knights of Columbus (304-428-0331) supports parish and community projects. The Rosary Altar Society cares for altar flowers and linens, runs the religious-item gift shop after weekend Masses, and leads the rosary before each weekend Mass; it meets monthly September through June. The Welcome Ministry visits and supports newly-registered parishioners, while the Hospitality Ministry arranges parish receptions such as the Easter Vigil and First Communion celebrations.
- Knights of Columbus — 1010 Market Street, 304-428-0331
- Rosary Altar Society — Contact Mary Beth Steinel, 740-896-5003
- Welcome Ministry — Contact Shirley Smith, 740-516-9411 or [email protected]
- Hospitality Ministry — receptions and gatherings as needed
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. James Reid (Diocese of Cincinnati)c. 1836-1845
Made regular missionary visits along the Ohio River; first recorded Catholic baptisms in Wood County on June 4, 1836.
- Rev. Austin Grogan1845-1849
Known as the 'Pioneer Priest of West Virginia'; first priest Bishop Whelan appointed to minister in Parkersburg and Wood County.
- Rev. Robert J. Lawrence1849-late 1850s
First resident pastor of Parkersburg; laid the cornerstone of the first brick church on October 27, 1849.
- Rev. Thomas Sheehan1857
Pastor when the railroad influx arrived; parish was then known as St. Mary's.
- Rev. Henry Parke1858-1870s
Bishop Whelan's protégé; oversaw purchase of lots for school and rectory, opened boys' school in 1859, brought Sisters of the Visitation in 1864, and led construction of the present Keely-designed church dedicated in 1870.
- Auxiliary Bishop James Michaels1978-
Pastor who launched the massive restoration program; church added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
- Rev. John Rice2013-present
Also pastor of St. Monica Parish in Lubeck; appointed Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston effective October 22, 2024.