About St. Joseph Mission · Proctor, West Virginia
St. Joseph Mission is a small Catholic community in Proctor, West Virginia, established in 1853 and one of the oldest parishes under the patronage of St. Joseph in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. Originally founded by German immigrant families who settled the area in 1845 to farm cattle and sheep in southwestern Marshall County, the present white frame church was built in 1888 and still serves the descendants of those founding families today. In May 2018 the parish was reduced to mission status and is now administered as part of a four-parish cluster along with St. Vincent de Paul Parish in New Martinsville (which shares this website), Mater Dolorosa Parish in Paden City, and Holy Rosary Mission in Sistersville. The mission is currently shepherded by Fr. Joseph Abraham, V.C., appointed pastor of the cluster effective August 15, 2025.
- Established
- 1853
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Joseph Abraham, V.C.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston (Parkersburg Vicariate)
Why belong here
St. Joseph Mission is one of the oldest Catholic communities in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, with roots going back to the German settlers of 1845 and a beautiful 1888 white-frame church that is still home to descendants of those founding families. It is a small, welcoming rural mission where Mass is offered Sunday morning and Tuesday evening, with Adoration and Confession every Tuesday from 5:00–6:00 p.m. before Mass. The parish is part of a tight-knit four-parish cluster with shared faith formation, music ministry, and parish/finance councils, so families who join St. Joseph also become part of a wider Catholic community along the Ohio River.
Mass times at St. Joseph Mission
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 5:00–6:00 p.m. (St. Joseph, Proctor — before the 6:00 p.m. Mass)
- Sacrament of Reconciliation is also offered at neighboring Mater Dolorosa (Paden City) Saturday 4:00–5:00 p.m. and Wednesday 5:00–6:00 p.m., and at St. Vincent de Paul (New Martinsville) Thursday 5:00–6:00 p.m.
- An appointment may also be made by calling the parish cluster office at (304) 455-4615
Adoration times
- Tuesday 5:00–6:00 p.m. (Eucharistic Adoration at St. Joseph before the 6:00 p.m. Mass)
- Wednesday 5:00 p.m. at Mater Dolorosa, Paden City
- Thursday 5:00 p.m. at St. Vincent de Paul, New Martinsville
- Friday 8:30 a.m. (Eucharistic Adoration listed in the cluster schedule)
About St. Joseph Mission
St. Joseph Mission is a small Catholic mission church located at 64 Frohnapfel Lane in Proctor, Marshall County, West Virginia. It is one of the oldest Catholic communities in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, with roots reaching back to 1845 when German immigrant families purchased a cluster of small farms in southwestern Marshall County to raise cattle and sheep. The community began collecting funds for a church and school in 1853 and was visited quarterly from Wheeling until 1873, when it was established as an independent parish with Rev. Theodore Vormann as first resident pastor. In May 2018 St. Joseph was reduced to mission status and assigned to St. Vincent de Paul Parish in New Martinsville as part of a four-parish cluster. The mission remains an active worship site for descendants of the founding families and for Catholics throughout the Ohio River valley.
- Founded as a mission: 1853
- Established as a parish: 1873
- Reduced to mission: May 2018
- Cluster: St. Vincent de Paul, New Martinsville (lead parish)
History of St. Joseph
The community known as the 'German Settlement' was established in 1845 when a group of German immigrants purchased a cluster of small farms in southwestern Marshall County. Eight years later, in 1853, the families began to collect funds for a church and school. The community was visited quarterly from Wheeling until 1873, when it was formally established as an independent parish with Rev. Theodore Vormann as first resident pastor. A simple log structure served as both church and school until a free-standing church was built in 1856. The present white frame church was built in 1888 and remains the mission's worship home. A parish school operated until 1984, staffed first by lay teachers and then by the Pallottine Missionary Sisters. Descendants of the original families continue to worship at St. Joseph today.
- 1845 – German immigrant families settle the area
- 1853 – Mission established; collection begins for a church and school
- 1856 – Free-standing church built (replacing the log structure)
- 1873 – Established as an independent parish under Rev. Theodore Vormann
- 1888 – Present white frame church built
- 1984 – Parish school closes (had been staffed by lay teachers and later the Pallottine Missionary Sisters)
- 2018 – Reduced to mission and clustered with St. Vincent de Paul, New Martinsville
Cluster Parishes & Shared Leadership
St. Joseph Mission is one of four Catholic communities served by a single pastor and a shared cluster office. The cluster website (svdpnm.org) and bulletin serve all four parishes together. Fr. Joseph Abraham, V.C., was appointed pastor of the cluster effective August 15, 2025 by Bishop Mark Brennan of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.
- St. Vincent de Paul Parish, 21 Rosary Road, New Martinsville, WV 26155
- Mater Dolorosa Parish, 302 East Main Street, Paden City, WV 26159
- Holy Rosary Mission, 519 Main Street, Sistersville, WV 26175
- St. Joseph Mission, 64 Frohnapfel Lane, Proctor, WV 26055
- Cluster Office Manager: Miss Jennifer (304) 455-4615 — Monday–Friday 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
- Pastor: Rev. Fr. Joseph Abraham, V.C.
Mass & Sacrament Schedule (St. Joseph, Proctor)
St. Joseph Mission celebrates Mass on Sunday morning and Tuesday evening. Tuesday evenings at St. Joseph include Eucharistic Adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., followed by Mass at 6:00 p.m. The schedule below reflects the official parish bulletin and website listing.
- Sunday Mass: 8:00 a.m.
- Tuesday Mass: 6:00 p.m. (Adoration & Confessions 5:00–6:00 p.m.)
- Confessions also available by appointment through the cluster office (304) 455-4615
Sacraments at St. Joseph
Sacramental preparation and celebration are arranged through the cluster office and the pastor, Fr. Joseph Abraham.
- Baptism: pre-Baptism sessions required, arranged by the Office
- Marriage: must meet with Fr. Joseph Abraham at least six months in advance before setting a date
- Reconciliation: Tuesday 5:00–6:00 p.m. (also at sister parishes, or by appointment)
- Anointing of the Sick: emergencies — Fr. Joseph (304) 435-9709 or Deacon Klug (304) 596-1337
- House Blessings: by request through the parish office
- Funeral Arrangements: contact the parish office (304) 455-4615
Parish Councils & Staff
St. Joseph Mission is governed by a Parish Council and Finance Council made up of lay faithful from the community, and is supported by parish and cluster staff. Names of council members are published in the parish bulletin.
- Parish Council: Jim Cavezza, Butch Fiore, Charlene Galluzzo, Jerry Richardson, Patty Skeen
- Finance Council: Cathy Cavezza, Mike Galluzzo, Becky Meckley, Eric Peters, Patty Skeen
- Music Ministry: John Tomaszewski, Ben Nice, Carolyn Hizer, Becky Meckley
- PSR (Religious Education): Debra Freeland — (304) 455-1654 or (304) 771-1654
- Maintenance: Fred Emch
- Office Manager: Miss Jennifer — (304) 455-4615 — [email protected]
- Pastor: Rev. Fr. Joseph Abraham, V.C.
- Deacon: Deacon Klug — emergency line (304) 596-1337
Ministries & Faith Formation
St. Joseph and its sister parishes maintain a small but active ministry roster, organized largely at the cluster level. The Parish School of Religion (PSR) provides religious education for children, and liturgical ministries such as lectors, Eucharistic ministers, and music ministers serve the Sunday and weekday Masses. The cluster also maintains a Sick & Homebound Communion & Visitation Ministry for parishioners who are hospitalized or unable to attend Mass.
- Parish School of Religion (PSR) — Debra Freeland
- Music Ministry — cantors and musicians for weekend and weekday Masses
- Eucharistic Ministers (scheduled)
- Lectors (scheduled)
- Sick & Homebound Communion & Visitation Ministry
- Parish Council and Finance Council
Devotions & Special Celebrations
St. Joseph's traditional patron is honored annually with a special celebration that includes Adoration, Confessions, Mass, and a St. Joseph Table in the parish hall. The mission also shares in the cluster's regular Eucharistic Adoration schedule.
- Solemnity of St. Joseph celebration: Adoration and Confessions at 5:00 p.m., Mass at 6:00 p.m., St. Joseph Table to follow in the parish hall
- Weekly Eucharistic Adoration: Tuesday 5:00 p.m. at St. Joseph (and Wed. at Mater Dolorosa, Thu. at St. Vincent de Paul, Fri. 8:30 a.m. cluster-wide)
- Prayer List / Prayer Requests — [email protected] or (304) 455-4615
Visit, Contact & Practical Info
St. Joseph Mission is located at 64 Frohnapfel Lane in Proctor, WV 26055, just off the Ohio River in Marshall County. The cluster office (which serves all four parishes) is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and can assist with Mass intentions, sacramental records, parish registration, and prayer requests. The parish hall, Klug Hall, is on site and available for parish events. Visitors are warmly welcomed — please call ahead for baptisms, marriages, anointing, or to schedule a house blessing.
- Address: 64 Frohnapfel Lane, Proctor, WV 26055
- Cluster Office / Rectory: (304) 455-4615 — [email protected]
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
- Klug Hall (parish hall): (304) 455-3555
- Fax: (304) 455-4617
- Emergency (Anointing): Fr. Joseph (304) 435-9709; Deacon Klug (304) 596-1337
- Website: http://www.svdpnm.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Theodore Vormann1873–
First resident pastor when St. Joseph was established as an independent parish; the mission had been served quarterly from Wheeling since 1852/1853.