About St. Stephen · Ona, West Virginia
St. Stephen Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Ona, West Virginia, founded in 1980 as a mission of the Diocese of Wheeling–Charleston and raised to parish status on April 1, 1981. The community worships in a single 11,000-square-foot multi-purpose center along James River Turnpike in Cabell County, where the sanctuary can be reconfigured for fellowship, education and social gatherings. Current pastor Fr. Martin Smay, appointed in June 2025, is assisted by Parochial Vicar Fr. Upendra Rayapudi and Deacon Ron Piaskowski. The parish is known for its striking liturgical art, including a mobile glass altar designed by former Blenko Glass designer Don Shepherd and handwoven Stations of the Cross by Culloden master weaver Beatrice Bannerman.
- Established
- 1980 (mission) / April 1, 1981 (parish)
- Patron
- St. Stephen
- Rector
- Fr. Martin Smay
- Diocese
- Diocese of Wheeling–Charleston
Why belong here
St. Stephen offers a close-knit Catholic community in the rural Cabell County countryside where worship, faith formation, fellowship, and service all happen under one roof. The parish gathers for Sunday Mass, weekly Bible study, adult and children's religious education, OCIA, and First Communion and Confirmation preparation, and also feeds those in need through E.C.C.H.O. and monthly City Mission dinners. With an active Pastoral Council, Music Ministry, Catholic Women in Touch (C.W.I.T.), and homebound and nursing home visitation, there are many ways for newcomers and long-time parishioners alike to belong.
Mass times at St. Stephen
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- After Mass
- By appointment
History of St. Stephen Catholic Church
St. Stephen was founded in June 1980 when Bishop Joseph H. Hodges of the Diocese of Wheeling–Charleston asked Rev. Larry Dorsch to lead the formation of a Catholic community in Ona. The first gathering of the Catholic Mission of Ona was held June 22, 1980, and the first Mass was celebrated June 29, 1980 in the Malcolm Springs community building. The mission was raised to full parish status on April 1, 1981, and the St. Stephen Catholic Center was dedicated on May 28, 1982.
- First gathering: June 22, 1980 at the Parish House, 2488 James River Turnpike
- First Mass: Sunday, June 29, 1980 at 10:00 a.m. in the Malcolm Springs community building
- Raised to parish status: April 1, 1981
- Groundbreaking: August 23, 1981 — every parishioner brought a shovel
- Building dedication: May 28, 1982 with Bishop Hodges and 20+ clergy
- Architect: Anthony Dorsch of Pittsburgh
- General contractor: Debcon, Inc. of Ashland, Kentucky
- 10th anniversary Mass: Sunday, June 24, 1990
Architecture and Liturgical Art
The St. Stephen Catholic Center is an 11,000-square-foot building designed as a worship, educational, and social center for the community, with all facilities contained in a single structure. The sanctuary was designed so everything in it can be moved easily and quickly to convert the main space into a multi-purpose room. Two pieces of original liturgical art are central to the worship space.
- 11,000 sq ft multi-purpose Catholic Center
- Designed by architect Anthony Dorsch of Pittsburgh
- Mobile glass altar designed by Don Shepherd, former Blenko Glass designer
- Stations of the Cross designed and woven by Culloden Master Weaver and parishioner Beatrice Bannerman
Clergy
St. Stephen is currently led by Fr. Martin Smay, who was appointed pastor on June 18, 2025. He is assisted by Parochial Vicar Fr. Upendra Rayapudi and Deacon Ron Piaskowski. Fr. Pradeep Kumar serves as Associate Pastor, assigned September 1, 2021 with residence at St. Stephen. Fr. Smay also serves as pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Huntington, with residence at the parish rectory in Huntington.
- Fr. Martin Smay — Pastor (effective June 18, 2025)
- Fr. Upendra Rayapudi — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Ron Piaskowski
- Fr. Pradeep Kumar — Associate Pastor (since September 1, 2021)
Parish Leadership and Committee Chairs
Parish life at St. Stephen is shaped by a Pastoral Council, Finance Council, Liturgy Committee, and a number of ministry leaders who organize faith formation, outreach, music, and fellowship activities.
- Pastoral Council: Nathan Douglas
- Finance Council: David Warner
- Liturgy Committee: Jane Lake
- Eucharist: Diane Chandler
- OCIA: David Warner
- Faith Outreach: Patrick Grace
- Music Directors: Sharon Gross and Marieanne Cordle
- Education Director: Jessica Douglas
- C.W.I.T.: Karen Fragale
- Facebook Administrator: Megan Carr
Faith Formation
Faith formation is a foundation of parish life at St. Stephen, with adult and children's religious education, Bible study, First Communion and Confirmation preparation classes, and Adult Catechesis sessions offered throughout the year.
- Adult Catechesis — 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month, beginning at 9:15 AM in the main church
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) — for those interested in becoming Catholic or learning more about the faith
- Children's religious education
- First Holy Communion preparation class (Baptism required)
- Confirmation / Reconciliation preparation class
- Bible study
OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation for Adults
OCIA is the formal process by which adults enter the Catholic Church, whether as catechumens preparing for Baptism, candidates for full communion, or baptized Catholics completing the Sacraments of Initiation (Confirmation and Holy Eucharist). Inquiries can be directed to [email protected].
- OCIA contact: David Warner
- Inquiries: [email protected]
Music and Liturgy
The Music Ministry enhances the liturgical life of the parish and is led by co-directors Sharon Gross and Marieanne Cordle. The Liturgy Committee, chaired by Jane Lake, works alongside Eucharistic Ministry under Diane Chandler to coordinate the celebration of the sacraments and the liturgical year.
- Music Ministry directors: Sharon Gross and Marieanne Cordle
- Liturgy Committee chair: Jane Lake
- Eucharistic Ministry coordinator: Diane Chandler
Parish Life and Fellowship
Doing things together spiritually and socially is a stated goal of the parish. St. Stephen hosts regular social gatherings alongside its spiritual ministries and is well known for its annual parish picnic.
- Annual Parish Picnic — held in May; Sunday Mass moves to 11:00 AM; hot dogs, hamburgers, fixings and buns provided; parishioners bring a side dish or dessert
- Catholic Women in Touch (C.W.I.T.) — meets the 3rd Sunday of every month directly after Mass (Karen Fragale)
- Sunday worship, Bible study, adult and children's religious education, music ministry, OCIA, Confirmation and First Communion classes
Outreach and Social Services
St. Stephen parishioners are deeply involved in social services, believing the tradition of faith is shared by sharing with others. The parish helped establish E.C.C.H.O. and continues to feed and visit people in need throughout the region.
- E.C.C.H.O. (Eastern Cabell County Humanities Organization) — food and clothing for those in need; helped establish the organization
- Monthly City Mission dinners — prepared by the parish and served at the downtown facility
- Visits to the homebound and residents of nursing homes
- Faith Outreach (Patrick Grace)
Sacraments
St. Stephen celebrates the seven sacraments in keeping with the policies of the Diocese of Wheeling–Charleston. Sacramental preparation classes are required for First Communion, Reconciliation and Marriage.
- Baptism — contact the Parish Office
- First Holy Communion — Sacramental Preparation class and Baptism required
- Reconciliation (First Confession) — Sacramental Preparation Class required
- Marriage — Diocesan Engaged Couples Retreat required
- Confirmation — Sacramental preparation offered
Visit and Contact
St. Stephen Catholic Church is located at 2491 James River Turnpike in Ona, West Virginia. The parish office can be reached by phone at (304) 743-3234 or by email at [email protected]. The official website is www.ststephens1.com, and the parish maintains a Facebook page at facebook.com/StStephenCatholicWV.
- Address: 2491 James River Turnpike, Ona, WV 25545
- Phone: (304) 743-3234
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.ststephens1.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/StStephenCatholicWV
- Diocese: Diocese of Wheeling–Charleston (Bishop Mark Brennan)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Larry Dorsch1980–1990
Founding pastor; led the Catholic Mission of Ona from its first gathering in June 1980 and oversaw construction and 1982 dedication of St. Stephen Catholic Center.
- Rev. Robert L. Herrick1990–1993
Installed as pastor at the 10th anniversary celebration on June 24, 1990; resigned his pastorate in fall 1993.
- Rev. M. Gerald Gordon, T.O.R.1993–1996
Appointed February 11, 1993.
- Msgr. Lawrence Luciana1996–1997
- Rev. Bert W. Valdes1997–2007
Resided at St. Stephen for ten years.
- Rev. James Sobus2007–2013
- Fr. Babu Joseph Elamturuthil2013–2015
- Rev. Paul Yuenger2015–June 2016
- Fr. Jeeson Venatu Stephan, M.C.B.S.June 2016–June 2017
Appointed administrator of St. Stephen Parish in Ona and Nativity of Our Lord Parish in Wayne, with residence at the Ona rectory.
- Rev. Prakash Sebastian, H.G.N.June 2017–2018
Appointed pastor of St. Stephen and Nativity of Our Lord in Wayne, with residence at St. Stephen.
- Fr. Thomas Kalapurackal2018–July 14, 2021
Reassigned to St. Anthony in Charleston on July 14, 2021.
- Fr. Tijo GeorgeJuly 14, 2021–2025
Also appointed pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Huntington, with residence at the parish rectory in Huntington.
- Fr. Martin SmayJune 18, 2025–present
Current pastor, also appointed pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Huntington with residence at the parish rectory in Huntington.