About St. Mary · Coeburn, Virginia
St. Mary's Catholic Church is a mission parish of the Diocese of Richmond located at 109 Beech Avenue NE in Coeburn, Virginia, in the heart of Southwest Virginia's coal country. It is one of three parishes that make up the Spirit of the Mountain Cluster, alongside St. Therese in St. Paul and Good Shepherd in Lebanon. The parish was founded and built by a small band of lay Catholics in the mid-1940s and 1950s under the care of the Glenmary Home Missioners, and today continues to serve the people of Coeburn with a weekly Saturday Vigil Mass and a Tuesday weekday Mass. The current pastor of the cluster is Rev. Emmanuel Darfour Appah.
- Established
- 1955
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Emmanuel Darfour Appah
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Richmond
Why belong here
St. Mary's is a small, family-sized Catholic community in the mountains of Southwest Virginia where every member's gifts — time, talent, and treasure — are visible and valued. The parish offers a peaceful Saturday Vigil Mass at 5:00 PM, a Tuesday 5:00 PM weekday Mass, monthly Eucharistic Adoration on the last Tuesday of the month, and easy access to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. As part of the Spirit of the Mountain Cluster, parishioners can also worship at sister parishes St. Therese in St. Paul and Good Shepherd in Lebanon, and serve through a wide range of liturgical (altar server, lector, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, music, altar linens), social-justice (Fuel & Hunger Grant Program, Virginia Catholic Conference), and parish-life ministries, as well as RCIA and ongoing Christian formation.
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:30 PM (30 minutes before the Vigil Mass), or by appointment
- Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered 30 minutes before weekend Masses cluster-wide or by appointment
Adoration times
- Last Tuesday of the month, following the 5:00 PM Mass
Welcome to St. Mary's Catholic Church
St. Mary's is a small but devoted mission parish located in the Appalachian coalfield town of Coeburn, Virginia. The parish belongs to the Spirit of the Mountain Cluster of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond and welcomes visitors and newcomers to share in its worship, fellowship, and service. As Father Appah notes, each of the cluster's three parishes offers 'a peaceful place for worship' and the community 'would be honored to have you as a part of our family.'
- Physical Address: 109 Beech Avenue NE, Coeburn, VA 24230
- Mailing Address: PO Box 1724, Coeburn, VA 24230
- Telephone: (276) 889-1690
- Email: [email protected]
Parish History
St. Mary's traces its roots to the mid-1940s, when a handful of Catholic families in Coeburn began gathering for Mass in borrowed spaces — the Women's Club House, a parishioner's beauty shop, and rotating private homes. By the early 1950s the small community undertook the heroic effort of building its own church, with parishioners donating equipment, labor, and land. Under the direction of Glenmary priest Father Roland Hautz, who also drew the building's plans, the present church was completed and dedicated on August 7, 1955, by Rev. Thomas J. McDonnell, Coadjutor of the Wheeling Diocese. Glenmary served St. Mary's for 24 years before the parish was transferred to the Diocese of Richmond in September 1979. The parish has since marked its 25th (1980, Bishop Walter F. Sullivan) and 50th (2005, Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo) anniversaries with special diocesan Masses.
- Mass celebrated in Women's Club House, beauty shop, and homes (Lawson, Hunsaker, Payne) in the mid-1940s through 1955
- Alton Lawson Sr. purchased land and provided a bulldozer; parishioners blasted rock to prepare the site
- Father Roland Hautz (Glenmary) drew the church plans and directed construction
- Fathers Frank Gardner and Robert Berson (Glenmary) finished the project
- Dedicated August 7, 1955, by Rev. Thomas J. McDonnell, Coadjutor of the Wheeling Diocese
- Transferred from Glenmary Home Missioners to the Diocese of Richmond, September 1979
- 25th Anniversary celebrated October 26, 1980 (Bishop Walter F. Sullivan)
- 50th Anniversary celebrated October 8, 2005 (Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo)
Spirit of the Mountain Cluster
St. Mary's is one of three parishes that together form the Spirit of the Mountain Cluster in the Catholic Diocese of Richmond. Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Lebanon and St. Therese Catholic Church in St. Paul share clergy and many ministries with St. Mary's. The cluster name was chosen by parishioners themselves during Father Mike Herbert's tenure as pastor, in tribute to the Appalachian mountain setting the three parishes share. By sharing resources, the cluster is able to sustain weekday Masses, Christian formation, and outreach across a wide, rural area.
- Good Shepherd Catholic Church — 890 W Main St., Lebanon, VA 24266 — Sunday Mass 11:00 AM, Reconciliation Sunday 10:30 AM
- St. Therese Catholic Church — 16661 Wise St., St. Paul, VA 24283 — Sunday Mass 8:30 AM, Reconciliation Sunday 8:00 AM
- St. Mary's Catholic Church — 109 Beech Ave., Coeburn, VA 24230 — Saturday Vigil 5:00 PM, Reconciliation Saturday 4:30 PM
- Cluster Office: (276) 889-1690 — [email protected]
- Cluster website: https://spiritofthemountain.org/
Clergy & Staff
St. Mary's is served by the pastor of the Spirit of the Mountain Cluster. As of early 2026, the cluster pastor is Rev. Emmanuel Darfour Appah, who is identified on the parish bulletin and Diocese of Richmond directory as Administrator of St. Mary's along with the other two cluster parishes. Father Appah can be reached through the cluster office or, for sacramental emergencies, at 1-804-631-9027 / [email protected].
- Rev. Emmanuel Darfour Appah — Pastor, Spirit of the Mountain Cluster (current)
- Cluster Office Telephone: (276) 889-1690
- Sacramental Emergency: 1-804-631-9027
- Sacramental Emergency Email: [email protected]
Liturgical Ministries
Liturgical ministries at St. Mary's help make each celebration of the Eucharist a prayerful, well-prepared encounter with Christ. Volunteers of all ages serve in roles 'behind the scenes' (preparing linens, vessels, books, hosts, and wine) as well as in public roles within the Mass. Formation and training sessions are offered throughout the year, and parishioners are encouraged to prayerfully consider how God is calling them to serve.
- Altar Linens — make and launder the altar linens used during liturgy
- Altar Servers / Cross Bearers — open to boys and girls who have received First Communion
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion — bring Communion to the homebound, those in nursing homes, hospitals, or prison
- Lectors — proclaim the scriptures during the Liturgy of the Word
- Mass Coordinators — prepare liturgical books, vessels, linens, hosts, and wine; oversee minister sign-in and the offertory
- Music Ministry — open to children and adults who enjoy singing or playing an instrument
Parish Life & Social Justice
Parish Life is responsible for promoting Christian community within St. Mary's and its sister parishes, organizing events that bring parishioners together for fellowship, food, and shared work. Social Justice ministries put Catholic social teaching into action by reaching out to those in need both inside and outside the walls of the cluster's churches.
- Parish Life — events for the whole parish, requiring coordinators, cooks, servers, and setup/cleanup volunteers
- Fuel & Hunger Grant Program — assistance with fuel and food requests when funds are available
- Virginia Catholic Conference — political action coalition of the Richmond and Arlington dioceses; promotes Christian moral issues and bills favoring the marginalized of Virginia (vacatholic.org)
Christian Formation & Becoming Catholic (RCIA)
The Spirit of the Mountain Cluster invites anyone searching for greater happiness to explore the Catholic faith. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a period of prayer, learning, and preparation that normally begins in January and leads to the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation — Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist — at Easter. A large library of books on Catholic doctrine, sacraments, and moral teaching is available at the cluster library. Those interested are encouraged to contact Father Emmanuel D. Appah.
- RCIA — begins in January; reception of sacraments at Easter (March/April)
- Cluster library — books on Catholic doctrine, sacraments, and moral teachings
- Contact: Father Emmanuel D. Appah, Pastor
Stewardship — Time, Talent, and Treasure
Stewardship is described by the cluster as a continuing part of parish life, rooted in gratitude for God's blessings. Parishioners are invited to prayerfully consider what share of their time, talent, and treasure they can return to God through the parish and the wider community — whether through volunteer ministry, weekly Mass collections, mailed envelopes, or online giving.
- TIME — time set aside each week for prayer and parish/community volunteer activity
- TALENT — using one's gifts for the betterment of the parish family and community
- TREASURE — financial support of the parish, Universal Church, and community activities
- Online giving available through the parish website
Sacraments & Pastoral Care
St. Mary's offers the full range of Catholic sacraments. Reconciliation is offered before the Saturday Vigil Mass and by appointment; parishioners are encouraged to contact the parish in advance for Baptism, Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick preparation. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion bring the Eucharist to those who are homebound, in nursing homes, hospitals, or in prison. A 24-hour sacramental emergency line is staffed for anointings and last rites.
- Eucharist — Saturday Vigil 5:00 PM, Tuesday 5:00 PM, Holy Days 5:00 PM
- Reconciliation — Saturday 4:30 PM or by appointment
- Baptism — preparation required
- Confirmation — celebrated in conjunction with the parish/diocese
- Anointing of the Sick — available; call sacramental emergency line
- Pastoral Care — Communion visits to homebound, nursing homes, hospitals, and prison
- Sacramental Emergency: 1-804-631-9027 / [email protected]
Cluster History in Brief
St. Therese in St. Paul was erected and dedicated on August 12, 1951. Good Shepherd in Lebanon was erected in 1962–65 and dedicated August 28, 1966, then clustered with St. Therese and shared a priest. St. Mary's in Coeburn, erected and dedicated August 7, 1955, had been a mission church of St. Anthony in Norton, VA. In 2003, Father Robert Krenik was assigned as priest for St. Mary's, St. Therese, and Good Shepherd, forming the modern cluster. Father Mike Herbert arrived later and asked parishioners to choose a cluster name — 'Spirit of the Mountain Cluster' — which has been the group's identity ever since.
Contact & Visit
Visitors and parishioners are warmly welcomed at St. Mary's. The parish office is reachable through the Spirit of the Mountain Cluster office line, and the cluster's website is the central hub for bulletins, announcements, and ministry sign-ups.
- Physical Address: 109 Beech Avenue NE, Coeburn, VA 24230
- Mailing Address: PO Box 1724, Coeburn, VA 24230
- Office Telephone: (276) 889-1690
- Parish Email: [email protected]
- Cluster Office Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://spiritofthemountain.org/parishes/saint-marys/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078972283533
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Roland Hautzearly-to-mid 1950s
Glenmary Home Missioner priest who directed the construction of St. Mary's and actually drew the building plans; transferred before completion.
- Rev. Frank Gardnermid-1950s
Glenmary successor who directed the final phases of construction.
- Rev. Robert Bersonmid-1950s
Glenmary successor who, with Fr. Gardner, completed construction.
- Rev. Thomas J. McDonnellAugust 7, 1955
Coadjutor of the Wheeling Diocese who dedicated the completed church building.
- Rev. Robert Krenik2003–
Assigned by the Diocese of Richmond as the first priest serving the three-parish cluster of St. Mary's, St. Therese, and Good Shepherd.
- Rev. Mike Herbertafter 2003
Succeeded Fr. Krenik as pastor of the cluster and asked parishioners to choose the name 'Spirit of the Mountain Cluster.'
- Rev. Emmanuel Darfour Appahcurrent (as of 2026)
Current pastor of the Spirit of the Mountain Cluster.