About St. Patrick · Hinton, West Virginia
St. Patrick Catholic Church is a Roman Rite parish in Hinton, Summers County, West Virginia, serving the faithful of the New River region from its historic red-brick Gothic Revival church at 309 2nd Avenue. Established in 1874 by Rev. David P. Walsh as the first church built in Summers County, the parish is part of the Diocese of Wheeling–Charleston and today worships under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Fr. Joseph Chinh Tran, S.V.D., with Rev. Mr. Peter Minogue serving as Deacon and Pastoral Associate. St. Patrick is also the supporting parish for Sacred Heart Mission in nearby Rainelle, and it celebrates a full weekly schedule of Masses, Confessions, First Friday Benediction, and the full range of parish sacraments.
- Established
- 1874
- Patron
- St. Patrick
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Joseph Chinh Tran, S.V.D.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Wheeling–Charleston
Why belong here
St. Patrick offers a warm, traditional Catholic home in the heart of Summers County, with a tight weekly rhythm of Mass (Sunday at 9:00 AM plus a Saturday Vigil at 5:00 PM), regular Confession before each Mass, and First Friday Benediction and Reconciliation — exactly the devotional life many parishioners are looking for. The parish explicitly describes itself as 'a caring Christian community committed to maintaining our strong sense of Catholic tradition within our diverse parish family,' centered on the Eucharist and the teachings of Jesus Christ. As the supporting parish for Sacred Heart Mission in Rainelle, St. Patrick also reaches Catholics across a wide swath of the New River region, so becoming a member means joining a small but mission-minded family of faith.
Mass times at St. Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Before Mass
- Sunday 8:30–8:50 AM
- Wednesday 5:30–5:45 PM
- Saturday 4:30–4:50 PM
- By appointment
- First Friday — Benediction and Reconciliation 6:00 PM (Sacred Heart Mission, Rainelle)
Adoration times
- First Friday — Benediction 6:00 PM (Sacred Heart Mission, Rainelle)
History of St. Patrick Parish
St. Patrick was established April 28, 1874 by Rev. Father D.P. Walsh as the first church built in Summers County, just two years after Hinton was developed. The first church on the site was a frame structure built in 1878; it was replaced by the present hard-pressed red-brick Gothic Revival church in 1889, designed and built by Rev. Werninger of Huntington. The parish grew up with the Irish, Italian, and eastern European Catholic immigrants who came to work on the C&O Railway and in the surrounding coal mines. In 1974, on the 100th anniversary of the parish, the interior was rearranged and redecorated in accord with Vatican II. The parish marked its 150th anniversary in 2024.
- Founded April 28, 1874 by Rev. D.P. Walsh, first resident pastor
- First church built in Summers County
- Original 1878 frame church replaced by present brick church in 1889
- 1889 church designed and built by Rev. Werninger (Huntington)
- Interior renovated for Vatican II in 1974 (100th anniversary)
- 150th anniversary celebrated in 2024
Architecture & Building
The present St. Patrick church is a Gothic Revival red-brick building of 1889, generally described by architectural historians as more earnest than academic. The exterior — hard-pressed red brick with a projecting front tower that barely rises above the roof ridge before turning into a spire — is virtually unchanged from the original dedication. The sanctuary, raised on a high basement, is entered from a porch contained within the front tower. A 1974 centennial renovation brought the interior into line with Vatican II liturgical practice.
- Gothic Revival style, hard-pressed red brick
- Built 1889 by Rev. Werninger
- Projecting front tower with spire
- Sanctuary raised on a high basement
- 1974 interior reordering and redecoration
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by a Divine Word Missionary pastor and supported by a deacon who also serves as Pastoral Associate.
- Rev. Fr. Joseph Chinh Tran, S.V.D. — Parish Pastor
- Rev. Mr. Peter Minogue — Deacon and Pastoral Associate
Sacred Heart Mission, Rainelle
St. Patrick Parish is the supporting parish for Sacred Heart Mission in Rainelle, WV, extending the parish's reach across Summers County and into neighboring Greenbrier / Rainelle communities. Mass and First Friday devotions are celebrated there on a regular schedule.
- Sunday Mass — 11:30 AM
- Thursday Mass — 6:00 PM
- First Friday — Benediction and Reconciliation 6:00 PM
- Second Friday — 6:00 PM
Devotions
In addition to daily and Sunday Mass, the parish observes traditional Catholic devotional practices. First Friday is marked by Benediction and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and the parish also gathers on Second Fridays. The parish's stated mission emphasizes 'maintaining our strong sense of Catholic tradition' alongside the Eucharist and the teachings of Jesus Christ.
- First Friday Benediction and Reconciliation — 6:00 PM (Sacred Heart Mission, Rainelle)
- Second Friday gathering — 6:00 PM (Sacred Heart Mission, Rainelle)
- Confession before every Mass
Sacraments
St. Patrick offers the full range of parish sacraments. Reconciliation is available before every Mass and by appointment; infant baptism is celebrated on request with required parental instruction; couples must contact the parish office at least six months before their wedding and complete Pre-Cana; the Anointing of the Sick is available on request; and adults seeking initiation are invited into the parish RCIA process.
- Reconciliation — before Mass and by appointment
- Infant Baptism — on request; instruction required
- Holy Matrimony — 6 months' notice; Pre-Cana required
- Anointing of the Sick — on request
- RCIA — contact the Parish Office, the Priest, or a Deacon
Mission & Identity
The parish's published mission statement describes St. Patrick as 'a caring Christian community committed to maintaining our strong sense of Catholic tradition within our diverse parish family.' The community strives 'to learn, grow, and live in a faith that centers around the celebration of the Eucharist, the teachings of Jesus Christ, and sharing our God-given gifts.' This blend of traditional Catholic devotion and welcoming community life — paired with active outreach to Sacred Heart Mission in Rainelle — is the heart of who St. Patrick is.
- Centered on the Eucharist and the teachings of Jesus Christ
- Strong sense of Catholic tradition
- Welcoming, diverse parish family
- Sharing God-given gifts through parish life
- Missionary reach to Rainelle via Sacred Heart Mission
Visit & Contact
Parishioners and visitors can reach St. Patrick Catholic Church by phone, email, or in person at the church office. The parish is listed in the official Diocese of Wheeling–Charleston directory, and its own website (hosted on the Bravesites platform) carries the latest bulletin, Mass intentions, and announcements.
- Address: 309 2nd Ave., Hinton, WV 25951 (corner of 2nd Ave. and Temple St.)
- Phone: 304-466-3966
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://saintpatrick.bravesites.com/
- Diocese directory listing: dwc.org/directory-listing/st-patrick-hinton/2160/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. David P. (D.P.) Walsh1874–
Founder and first resident pastor of St. Patrick Parish, established April 28, 1874.