About St. Joseph Cathedral · Wheeling, West Virginia
The Cathedral of St. Joseph, located at 1300 Eoff Street in downtown Wheeling, West Virginia, is the Mother Church and seat of the bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wheeling–Charleston, which covers the entire state of West Virginia. Home to Wheeling's oldest Catholic community — a log church built in 1822 for German and Irish immigrants — it has been the liturgical heart of the diocese since its erection by Pope Pius IX in 1850. The present Lombard Romanesque cathedral, designed by Pittsburgh architect Edward J. Weber and dedicated on April 21, 1926, is celebrated for its 148-foot dome, Byzantine-style frescoes by Felix B. Lieftuchter, and medieval-style stained glass by George W. Sotter of Philadelphia. It remains an active urban parish serving downtown Wheeling and the wider Northern Panhandle, offering daily Mass, rich devotions, faith formation, and a wide range of lay ministries.
- Established
- 1822
- Patron
- Saint Joseph
- Rector
- Most Reverend Mark E. Brennan (Bishop of Wheeling–Charleston, pastor by virtue of office)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Wheeling–Charleston
Why belong here
The Cathedral of St. Joseph welcomes anyone seeking the heart of Catholic life in West Virginia — daily Mass and confession, a robust schedule of devotions including First Friday Adoration, the Rosary after Saturday Mass, the Divine Mercy Chaplet after daily Mass, and Stations of the Cross in Advent and Lent, and a true community feel in the heart of downtown Wheeling. Its ministries span every stage of life (Sons of St. Joseph, Sisters in Grace, PrimeTimers, Young Adults, St. Gianna Pro-Life, Catholics in Recovery, the St. Monica Prayer Group, a Book Club, a parish choir and schola, hospitality, faith formation and O.C.I.A.), and the building itself — frescoes, stained glass, and marble from four European countries — gives even an ordinary weekday Mass the sense of stepping into something far larger. For visitors, the cathedral is open daily with a generous visitor schedule and ample parking, and guided tours of the historic structure are offered.
Mass times at St. Joseph Cathedral
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday 11:15 am – 11:50 am
- Saturday 11:00 am – 12:00 noon
- Saturday 5:00 pm – 5:45 pm
- By appointment (call the parish office 304-233-4121)
- Communal Penance Service with multiple confessors during Advent and Lent
Adoration times
- First Friday of the month 12:45 pm – 5:00 pm (Eucharistic Adoration)
- First Friday Holy Hour of Reparation at 4:00 pm
- Additional special-day adoration throughout the year (per parish announcement)
Devotions and Special Liturgies
A rich calendar of traditional Catholic devotions complements the Mass schedule. The Holy Rosary is prayed each Saturday following the 9:00 am Mass; the Chaplet of Divine Mercy is prayed each Friday following the 12:05 pm Mass; Stations of the Cross are prayed on Sundays in Advent and on Fridays during Lent (6:00 pm); a Novena for the Poor Souls in Purgatory is offered on Wednesdays; and a Communal Penance Service is offered in Advent and Lent. These devotions are framed by the parish as opportunities 'to encounter the Real Presence of Christ' and to draw near to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through prayer, reparation, and intercession.
- Rosary — each Saturday after the 9:00 am Mass
- Divine Mercy Chaplet — each Friday after the 12:05 pm Mass
- Stations of the Cross — Sundays in Advent; Fridays during Lent at 6:00 pm
- Novena of the Poor Souls in Purgatory — Wednesdays
- Communal Penance Service — Advent and Lent
- First Friday devotion to the Sacred Heart
History of the Cathedral
Catholic life on the present cathedral site traces back to 1822, when a small log church was built for German and Irish immigrants. A second, larger brick church dedicated to St. James the Apostle was built on the corner of 13th and Eoff Streets in 1847 and became St. James Cathedral with the erection of the Diocese of Wheeling on July 19, 1850. In 1872 the cathedral and diocese were placed under the patronage of St. Joseph. After a fire devastated the structure in 1923, Bishop John J. Swint commissioned Pittsburgh architect Edward J. Weber to design the present Lombard Romanesque cathedral, whose cornerstone was laid on May 5, 1924 and which was solemnly consecrated on April 21, 1926. Subsequent bishops have guided interior reordering (1973), major fresco and systems restoration (completed 1996), parish mergers (1995), National Register listing (1999), stained-glass and exterior restoration (2006), and a careful 2012 sanctuary renewal using marble from Weber's original European quarries.
- 1822 — log church built for German and Irish immigrants
- 1828 — first resident priest, Rev. Francis Rotor
- 1847 — second St. James the Apostle Church built on present site (dedicated Nov. 26, 1849)
- 1850 — Diocese of Wheeling erected by Pope Pius IX; St. James becomes cathedral
- 1872 — patronage transferred to St. Joseph
- 1923 — fire forces construction of a new cathedral
- 1924 — cornerstone laid May 5 (inscribed AMDG)
- 1926 — cathedral consecrated April 21
- 1973 — sanctuary reconfigured for Vatican II
- 1995 — Sacred Heart, St. Joan of Arc, and Blessed Trinity merged into cathedral parish
- 1999 — listed as contributing property of East Wheeling Historic District
- 2006 — roof, windows, and stained glass restored
- 2012 — new marble floor, altar, and ambo installed (echoing Weber's design)
- 2026 — 100th anniversary of consecration
The Building: Architecture, Art, and Architecture
The cathedral is a Lombard Romanesque cruciform basilica in Indiana limestone, with a 148-foot dome modeled on the Duomo of Florence. The interior is executed in a 'Mediaeval Byzantine' idiom: nearly 500 trompe l'oeil coffered panels on the barrel-vaulted nave, a half-dome apse fresco 'Enthroned Christ and the Communion of the Saints' by Felix B. Lieftuchter, medieval-inspired stained glass by George W. Sotter of Philadelphia, exterior figural sculpture and the original Stations of the Cross by Pittsburgh sculptor Francis Aretz, and a 1926 marble baldachin and tabernacle sheltering the high altar under a Latin inscription of John 6:54 in gold leaf. A 2012 renovation introduced a new marble sanctuary floor, altar, and ambo that intentionally echo Weber's 1926 design.
- Style: Lombard Romanesque cruciform basilica
- Architect: Edward J. Weber (Pittsburgh)
- Dome height: 148 feet (45 m)
- Exterior material: Indiana limestone
- Frescoes: Felix B. Lieftuchter (apse and dome)
- Stained glass: George W. Sotter (Philadelphia / Bucks County)
- Sculpture: Francis Aretz (Pittsburgh) — tympanum, Stations of the Cross, exterior figures
- Marble palette from four European countries
St. Joseph, the Cathedral's Patron
Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary and earthly father of Jesus Christ, is honored throughout the cathedral — in stained glass, statuary, and a dedicated transept shrine. The 14 transept windows narrate his life chronologically from the Marriage of Joseph and Mary through the Death of St. Joseph, including less-commonly-depicted scenes such as Joseph's dream of Gabriel, the search for lodging in Bethlehem, the return from Egypt, Nazareth's home life, and the Finding of Jesus in the Temple. The transept statue of St. Joseph holds a lily (purity) and a carpenter's T-square (his trade), reflecting the cathedral's earlier devotional title 'St. Joseph the Workman,' chosen by Bishop Whelan in 1872 in solidarity with the coal miners of the diocese.
- Patron: Saint Joseph
- Transept shrine with statue holding lily and T-square
- 14 stained-glass scenes of St. Joseph's life in the transept windows
Parish Staff and Clergy
The cathedral is led by Bishop Mark E. Brennan as pastor by virtue of his office as Bishop of Wheeling–Charleston. Day-to-day pastoral leadership is provided by the Rector, Father Penumaka 'Pen' Manikyalarao, and Vice-Rector, Father John D. Soplinski. They are assisted by two permanent deacons — Deacon Douglas W. Breiding (who also serves as the Diocesan Director of Catholic Cemeteries) and Deacon Jacob A. Manning (who oversees the O.C.I.A. program). Tyler J. Greenwood serves as Pastoral Associate, Matthew S. Berher as Director of Music Ministry (also Diocesan Director of Music), and Martin Imbroscio as Sacristan.
- Most Rev. Mark E. Brennan — Bishop / Pastor
- Rev. Penumaka 'Pen' Manikyalarao — Rector
- Rev. John D. Soplinski — Vice-Rector
- Deacon Douglas W. Breiding — Deacon & Diocesan Director of Catholic Cemeteries
- Deacon Jacob A. Manning — Deacon & O.C.I.A. coordinator
- Tyler J. Greenwood — Pastoral Associate
- Matthew S. Berher — Director of Music Ministry
- Martin Imbroscio — Sacristan
Groups and Ministries
The parish describes itself as 'more than just a place of worship — it's a vibrant community where faith comes alive through fellowship, service, and spiritual growth.' Ministries are organized around fellowship across all stages of life, faith formation, outreach, and worship. Hospitality greeters welcome visitors; the St. Gianna Pro-Life Ministry defends the unborn; the St. Monica Prayer Group intercedes for loved ones who have wandered from the Faith; Catholics in Recovery offers faith-based addiction support; and the Sons of St. Joseph (men) and Sisters in Grace (women) follow a 'Four Pillars' rhythm of Formation, Worship, Service, and Fellowship. The parish also hosts a Young Adults Ministry, PrimeTimers for older adults, a Book Club, and a robust Music Ministry of choir, schola, and instrumentalists.
- Sons of St. Joseph — Men's Group (Wednesdays 7:00 pm)
- Sisters in Grace — Women's Group
- PrimeTimers (older adults)
- Young Adults Ministry
- St. Gianna Pro-Life Ministry
- St. Monica Prayer Group
- Catholics in Recovery
- Book Club
- Hospitality Ministry
- Music Ministry (Choir, Schola, instrumentalists)
Faith Formation and O.C.I.A.
Faith Formation at the cathedral is described as 'the lifelong process of awakening to the divine presence in everyday life.' Programming spans children, youth, and adults and includes the O.C.I.A. (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process overseen by Deacon Jacob Manning, which prepares adults for Baptism, Confirmation, and full reception into the Catholic Church. The parish invites anyone interested in sharing their gifts to sign up through its online Ministry Signup form.
- Ongoing faith formation for children, youth, and adults
- O.C.I.A. (formerly RCIA) — overseen by Deacon Jacob Manning
- Online Ministry Signup form on the parish website
Visiting, Hours, and Location
The cathedral sits in downtown Wheeling at 1300 Eoff Street, just off the intersection of Eoff Street and 13th Street, near Wheeling Central Catholic High School and about a mile from the Ohio River. Cathedral hours are generous — Sunday 7:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday 7:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Saturday 7:00 am to 7:00 pm — and visitors may use on-street parking or a spacious parish lot on Eoff Street, diagonally across from the main entrance. Guided tours of the historic structure, its sacred art, and architecture can be arranged through the parish office.
- Sunday hours: 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Monday–Friday hours: 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Saturday hours: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Parking: Eoff Street lot diagonally across from main entrance, plus street parking
- Guided tours available — contact the parish office
Contact and Getting Involved
The parish office is the hub for inquiries about Mass intentions, sacraments (Baptism, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick), confession appointments, tour bookings, ministry sign-ups, and general pastoral needs. The office can be reached by phone at (304) 233-4121 or by email at [email protected]; office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Visitors and newcomers are warmly welcomed at every liturgy, and online forms make it easy to sign up for ministries or request prayers.
- Phone: (304) 233-4121
- Email: [email protected]
- Office: 1300 Eoff Street, Wheeling, WV 26003
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Online Ministry Signup form on the parish website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Francis Rotor1828–
First resident priest of St. James Parish, Wheeling; first baptismal entry dated Nov. 9, 1828.
- Bishop Richard Vincent Whelan1846–1874
First Bishop of Wheeling (1850); personally took charge of the Wheeling parish in 1846; built the second St. James Church (1847/1849) on the present site; became first Bishop of the newly erected Diocese of Wheeling in 1850; in 1872 petitioned Rome to change the cathedral's patronage from St. James the Apostle to St. Joseph.
- Bishop John Joseph Kain1875–1893
Second Bishop of Wheeling; transferred to the Archdiocese of St. Louis in 1893.
- Bishop Patrick J. Donahue1894–1922
Third Bishop of Wheeling; formerly rector of the Assumption Cathedral in Baltimore; began planning for a new, larger cathedral but died October 1922 before construction began.
- Bishop (later Archbishop ad personam) John J. Swint1922–1962
Fourth Bishop of Wheeling; oversaw construction of the present Lombard Romanesque cathedral after the 1923 fire; cornerstone laid May 5, 1924; cathedral consecrated April 21, 1926.
- Bishop Joseph H. Hodges1962–1985
Fifth Bishop of Wheeling; in 1973 reconfigured the sanctuary to comply with Vatican II liturgical reforms.
- Bishop Francis B. Schulte1985–1989
Sixth Bishop of Wheeling–Charleston; later installed as twelfth Archbishop of New Orleans.
- Bishop Bernard W. Schmitt1989–2004
Seventh Bishop of Wheeling–Charleston; led the major 1990s interior renovation completed in 1996; in 1995 merged Sacred Heart, St. Joan of Arc, and Blessed Trinity into the cathedral parish.
- Bishop Michael J. Bransfield2006–2018
Eighth Bishop of Wheeling–Charleston; in 2006 began restoration of the roof, windows and stained glass; in 2011 closed the cathedral school and repurposed it as the diocesan chancery; in 2012 installed the new marble floor, altar and ambo.
- Bishop Mark E. Brennan2019–present
Ninth Bishop of Wheeling–Charleston; pastor of the cathedral by virtue of office; oversees the 2026 'Century of Faith' jubilee.
- Bishop Evelio Menjivar-Ayala2026–
Tenth and current Bishop of Wheeling–Charleston (installed May 1, 2026, per GCatholic).
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