About St. Luke The Evangelist, Cheat Lake · Morgantown, West Virginia
St. Luke the Evangelist is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston located at 19 Jo Glen Drive in the Cheat Lake area of Morgantown, West Virginia. The community began as a mission in 1978 in response to a growing Catholic population, was formally designated in 1980, and was elevated to an independent parish in 1983 under the care of the Marist Fathers. Today the parish is known for its warm, family-oriented culture — parishioners and priests alike describe a community where 'people watch out for one another' — and it serves approximately 350 families through daily and weekend Masses, faith formation for children and adults, Eucharistic adoration, and outreach ministries. The current pastor is Rev. Binu Emmanuel, C.S.T., who began his assignment on June 18, 2025.
- Established
- 1980
- Patron
- St. Luke the Evangelist
- Rector
- Rev. Binu Emmanuel, C.S.T.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston
Why belong here
St. Luke's is a parish where belonging is taken seriously. Parishioners and pastors alike describe a community of about 350 families that 'watches out for one another' — people notice when you've been away from Mass and they call to check on you. The parish offers lifelong faith formation for every stage, from pre-school religious education through Confirmation, plus adult OCIA (RCIA), retreats, Bible studies, men's and women's groups, and the Knights of Columbus Council 16530. Weekly Mass, Friday morning Eucharistic adoration, and Saturday confession form a steady rhythm of worship, while outreach through collections of food, clothing, gifts, and monetary support serves the wider Morgantown area and the world.
Mass times at St. Luke The Evangelist, Cheat Lake
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- Friday 7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
History of St. Luke the Evangelist
St. Luke the Evangelist was founded as a mission in 1978 under Bishop Joseph H. Hodges to serve the growing Catholic population of the Cheat Lake area east of Morgantown, West Virginia. It was formally designated a mission of St. Theresa Parish in 1980 and met at Cheat Lake United Methodist Church for its first eight months before its own church was completed. In 1983 Bishop Francis Schulte elevated the community to an independent parish and entrusted it to the Marist Fathers. Major building projects followed in 1990 (Theophilus Hall), 1995 (new rectory and Education Center), and 1997 (worship-space remodeling). The parish marked its 40th anniversary in 2023.
- 1978 – Mission established under Bishop Joseph H. Hodges
- 1980 – Designated a mission of St. Theresa Parish, Morgantown
- 1983 – Became an independent parish under the Marist Fathers
- 1990 – Theophilus Hall added
- 1995 – New rectory and Education Center built
- 1997 – Worship space remodeled
- 2023 – 40th anniversary celebrated with Bishop Mark Brennan
Parish Staff
In addition to the pastor, St. Luke's parish staff supports worship, faith formation, and administration. The Director of Liturgical Music, R.J. Nestor, oversees the parish's music ministry. Lynn Johnson serves as Director of Religious Education, coordinating Faith Formation programming and sacramental preparation.
- Fr. Binu Emmanuel, C.S.T. – Pastor ([email protected])
- R.J. Nestor – Director of Liturgical Music
- Lynn Johnson – Director of Religious Education ([email protected])
- Mary Esther Watson – Faith Formation Coordinator (per older directory listing)
- Ruth Gibson – Bookkeeper
- Donna Kolanko – Secretary
- Parish Office: 19 Jo Glen Drive, Morgantown, WV 26508 · (304) 594-2353 · [email protected]
Faith Formation
St. Luke's faith formation program serves children pre-K through Confirmation with weekly Sunday-morning classes held between the two morning Masses (9:20 a.m.–10:40 a.m.), running from Catechetical Sunday in September through early May. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist is offered to second graders, while Confirmation preparation is a two-year program beginning in 8th or 9th grade, with Confirmation currently celebrated in the spring of odd years.
- Pre-K through 8th-grade Religious Education, Sundays 9:20–10:40 a.m.
- First Reconciliation / First Communion prep for 2nd graders
- Confirmation prep — 2-year program beginning in 8th or 9th grade
- Sunday Liturgy participation emphasized as part of faith formation
- Contact: Lynn Johnson, Director of Religious Education, [email protected]
OCIA — Becoming Catholic
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA, formerly RCIA) at St. Luke is a discernment and preparation process for adults who wish to be baptized, become Catholic, or complete their Catholic initiation. The small group meets weekly beginning in September to study Church teaching and experience, and prepares candidates to celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter. Inquiries are directed to Fr. Binu.
- Weekly small-group sessions begin in September
- Prepares adults for Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at Easter
- Contact: Fr. Binu Emmanuel, C.S.T.
Ministries and Groups
Parish life at St. Luke is supported by a wide range of ministries that the parish describes as building 'a Christ-centered community upon the foundation of a joyful liturgy, a welcoming hospitality, a celebrating people, a learning and nurturing atmosphere for all members, and a commitment to serve God and others.' Men's and women's groups, Bible studies, retreats, the Knights of Columbus Council 16530, and ongoing outreach through food, clothing and gift collections give parishioners of every age and stage of life a way to belong.
- Knights of Columbus Council 16530 — [email protected]
- Men's Group
- Women's Group
- Bible studies
- Retreats
- Liturgical Music Ministry
- Parish outreach (food, clothing, gifts, monetary support)
Sacraments
Beyond the regular Mass and confession schedule, St. Luke prepares parishioners for the sacraments of initiation — Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation, and adult initiation through OCIA — in age-appropriate programs coordinated by the Director of Religious Education.
- First Reconciliation / First Eucharist (2nd grade)
- Confirmation (2-year program, spring of odd years)
- OCIA for adults
- Confession by appointment in addition to Saturday schedule
Mission and Welcome
The parish's mission statement reads: 'With the help of the Holy Spirit, we seek to build a Christ centered community upon the foundation of a joyful liturgy, a welcoming hospitality, a celebrating people, a learning and nurturing atmosphere for all members, and a commitment to serve God and others, while spreading the Good News to those who seek to share in the blessings of our Catholic faith.' Whether you are exploring Catholicism, returning after time away, or have been Catholic all your life, the parish invites you to register and become part of its family of faith.
- Christ-centered community rooted in joyful liturgy and welcoming hospitality
- Lifelong faith formation for all ages and stages
- Stewardship of time, talent and treasure
- Parish registration available through the parish office
Visiting and Contact
St. Luke's parish office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at 19 Jo Glen Drive in Cheat Lake/Morgantown, WV 26508. The parish can be reached by phone at (304) 594-2353 or by email at [email protected], and the pastor at [email protected]. The website is available in Spanish — visitors are encouraged to contact the parish office regarding the availability of Spanish-language resources.
- Address: 19 Jo Glen Drive, Morgantown, WV 26508
- Phone: (304) 594-2353
- Email: [email protected]
- Pastor: [email protected]
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Edward J. MackiewiczJuly 1, 1983 – June 23, 1985
First pastor when St. Luke became an independent parish under the Marist Fathers.
- Rev. Leonard P. KellermanJuly 1, 1985 – June 27, 1986
- Rev. Frederick P. AnnieJune 27, 1986 – June 24, 1992
Pastor at the time of the parish's 1988 elevation and early expansion.
- Rev. Jeremiah F. McSweeneyJune 27, 1992 – June 12, 2002
Long-tenured pastor during the 1990s building program.
- Rev. Pete A. GiannamoreJune 12, 2002 – Oct. 15, 2003
- Rev. Giles LeVasseurNovember 19, 2003 – May 1, 2006
- Rev. Ronald G. PrechtlJanuary 10, 2007 – June 22, 2011
- Rev. Vincent E. JosephJune 22, 2011 – June 16, 2015
- Rev. Carlos L. Melocoton, Jr.June 17, 2015 – June 19, 2018
- Rev. Biju T. DevassyJune 20, 2018 – June 17, 2025
Pastor at the time of the parish's 40th anniversary in 2023; said to have been struck by the parish's 'very hospitable, very welcoming' culture.
- Rev. Binu Emmanuel, C.S.T.June 18, 2025 – present
Current pastor; contact [email protected].