History of Saint Francis Xavier Parish *

Prior to 1785, Virginia (which then included present West Virginia) had a state church, the Protestant Episcopal. Roman Catholic immigrants were barred from the state. Priests had to sneak in at night, ever alert of danger, to minister to the few Catholics who had cloaked their religious affiliation and settled in the state.

Shortly after 1815 the first Catholic family, the Josephs, arrived in the area and settled in the southern part of Wood County near Belleville. They became the nucleus of a small Catholic settlement, which developed along the North Fork of Lee Creek.

Around 1836 an Irish priest Father James Reid began making regular missionary visits to the faithful at Lee Creek. Father Reid of the Diocese of Cincinnati had as his mission the entire area along the Ohio River from Cambridge, Ohio to Wood County.

According to census figures there were no Catholic families residing in the town of Parkersburg until the early 1840’s.

1841 In September 1841, the new Bishop of Richmond Richard V. Whelan pays his first visit to the Catholics in Wood County.

1844 Bishop Whelan dispatches Father Joseph Plunkett on a missionary journey through the western portion of the diocese. He visits as far as Parkersburg.

1845 Bishop Whelan on June 1, 1845, appoints the Rev. Austin Grogan, the great “Pioneer Priest of West Virginia”, to minister to the Catholics in Parkersburg and several surrounding counties. He serves until 1849.

1846 On April 28, 1847, Bishop Whelan purchases the present church lot Market Street from Beverly and Catherine Smith for $306.00 to be paid over a three-year term.

1849 Rev. Robert J. Lawrence is appointed to minister to Catholics in Parkersburg. Bishop Whelan decides to make Parkersburg a center of missionary activity. The bishop states in a diocesan report for 1849 that “a neat brick chapel is being erected a this point, which many circumstances indicate as one likely to become prominent on the Ohio River.”

1850 The scattering of Catholics along the Ohio River have until now been attended from Wheeling. Father Lawrence moves his missionary headquarters to Parkersburg and becomes the first resident pastor. The cornerstone for the first Catholic Church in Parkersburg is laid in April. The small brick mission church measures 30 x 60 and is built at a cost of $1,600.00. When built, the parish family consists of six families residing in Parkersburg and six families from the surrounding countryside. On occasion the 30 Catholics in neighboring Pleasants County swell their number. On July 19, the Diocese of Wheeling is created being partitioned from the Diocese of Richmond, Virginia.

1851 The parish boundaries include the entire area from St. Mary’s to Charleston ad as far east as West Union. Visits are also made to the Catholics in neighboring Washington County, Ohio.

1857 On May 1, the railroad line from Grafton to Parkersburg is completed drawing a huge influx of railroad workers who are predominately Irish-Catholic immigrants. The Catholic Church in Parkersburg is given the name St. Mary’s. Rev. Thomas Sheehan is pastor.

1858 Additional lots adjoining the church are purchased for the erection of a school and rectory, which are built in the early 1860’s. Bishop Whelan appoints Rev. Henry Parke as pastor. A parish census taken August 1, 1858 shows a total of “303 souls.”

1859 The parish is officially named in honor of St. Francis Xavier.

1863 June 20, 1863, the state of West Virginia is born.

1864 On August 6, eight Sisters of the Visitation arrive at the invitation of Father Parke to begin an academy for girls. The “Visitation Academy” would later become known as DeSales Heights. In the parish the sisters teach Sunday school and organize sodalities.

1865 The Civil War ends.

1867 In August, Father Parke and the congregation begin construction of a new church to replace the old church which had become inadequate to meet the needs of the growing Catholic population. Patrick Charles Keely of New York is selected as the architect. Lysander Dudley of Parkersburg is awarded the contract for the construction. Meanwhile, at Lee Creek the faithful there begin construction of a small frame church. With financial help from the European community through the Propagation of Faith Society the church is completed and dedicated to the honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary and named the “Church of the Immaculate Conception.” It becomes a mission church in the care of St. Francis Xavier.

1869 On May 9, the new cornerstone is laid for he present church edifice.

1870 On October 2, the substantially completed church is dedicated. The final cost of its construction is $59,930.05.

1871 An associate pastor of St. Xavier, Father Thomas Quirk, begins publication of “The Catholic Messenger” the first Catholic newspaper in the state.

1872 St. Xavier Catholic Cemetery is established at 14^th and Dilloway Streets.

1895 New stained glass windows and skylight are installed to replace those damaged by nitroglycerin blast.

1896 First major renovation program on church is completed by Father Hickey. Church re-opened on July 19.

1900 Father Hickey and a prominent parishioner Dr. John H. Kelley persuaded the Sisters of St. Joseph to come to Parkersburg and establish a hospital. It is the second Catholic hospital in the state.

1901 In the spring of this year a group of Pittsburgh business parties make an offer of $170,000 for the church and rectory. Father Hickey purchases options on property at 9^th and Avery Street to build a new St. Xavier’s. The church is spared the wrecking ball however when the deal fails to go through.

1915 Bell tower is domed and a bell is installed. This bell, dedicated to St. Catherine weighs over 3,000 pounds. The bell tower dome is designed by Dietrich Kruger and built by Joseph Simpson Higgs.

1917 Two more bells are added to tower. They are consecrated in honor of Saints Brigid and Patrick.

1924 The Sisters of the Poor Child Jesus come to Parkersburg to reestablish the parish school.

1930 New Stations of the Cross installed.

1948 Second major renovation program commences and is completed by Father John O’Reilly. Much of the renovation program is devoted to structural reinforcement of the church. (Completed in 1949).

1951 The parish community builds a new parish school at 9^th and Juliana Streets and establishes Parkersburg Catholic High School.

1956 The Canadian organ builder Casavant builds and installs a new pipe organ in the church at a cost of $27,000.

1957 Ordinations of priests are generally held a the diocesan Cathedral in Wheeling but two native sons of he parish, Robert Park, and Ed Sadie are ordained on June 1 by Bishop McDonnell at St. Xavier. Both will go on to do exemplary work in the diocese in the fields of youth work education and social ministry.

1966 Vatican Council II concludes. Msgr. Weiskircher implements many of the changes mandated by the council especially in the area of liturgical reforms. The altar faces the people now, Mass in English, etc.

1967 An area of the sacristy is converted to a children’s chapel for infants and toddlers.

1970 Parish celebrates centennial of the church on October 8^th.

1978 Massive restoration program begun by pastor, Auxiliary Bishop James Michaels to restore church to original grandeur. Church is added to National Register of Historic Places.

1981 Reconciliation Room is added. Father Lester inaugurates an annual parish celebration to honor St. Francis Xavier our patron. The feast day celebration becomes a major social and spiritual event in the life of the parish.

1988 Father Thomas Rafferty, a native son of the parish, celebrates his Golden Jubilee (50^th anniversary) as a priest with a special Mass with his parish family. Father Rafferty distinguished himself as chaplain at St. Joseph Hospital for many years.

1988 A new vehicle of bringing converts into the faith is begun in the parish called the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). This process, used in the ancient days of the Church, better prepares candidates for Catholicism. The highly successful program also serves parishioners as a continuing religious education program.

1994 A new slate roof in installed on the church by the Tri-State Roofing Co. The slates, imported from Spain, are complimented with all new copper flashing and guttering.

1995 Father Michael O’Reilly commissions for the most extensive and elaborate restoration work ever on the church ceiling decorative artwork and murals. The two-year project, which costs in excess of $300,000.00, brings together a host of art conservators, restorers and building preservationists. Their work and skill brings the famed interior decorations of our church back to their original vibrant hues and clarity.

1997 Parish purchases additional property lots up 6^th and Market Streets for future parish needs.

1998 The former Kresge building located at 609 Market St. is purchased by the parish for use as a parish hall.

1999 Beverly Hoffman,a parishioner, takes her vows as a Sister of Charity in Kentucky.

2000 The Great Jubilee and the 150th Anniversary of the erection of the Diocese of Wheeling are celebrated. Due to St Xavier's significance in the history of the Diocese, Bishop Schmitt selects the church as a pilgrimage site for the faithful of the Diocese bestowing special graces to all who visit and pray at the church.

2002 The parish advances technologically. In May, the parish website (www.stx-pburg.org) goes on-line. The website contains parish information, schedules, pictures, history, and links to other church-related websites. E-mail is used to notify parishioners of news and upcoming evernts.

2003 On May 17, a seminarian who had done ministry work in the parish, Victor Udechukwu, is ordained to the diaconate at the church. He is the first black seminarian in the history of the diocese to attain to the ordained ministry.

Renovation work on the parish center, which began in 1998, is completed. Among the improvements are a new facade and sidewalk that greaty improve the front appearance of the building. Across from the center, three dilapidated buildings are demolished and a concrete parking lot for the use of the parish is constructed. Renovations to the church are also finished that accommodate the needs of the physically impaired. A new entrance ramp and entry way are added. New restroom facilities are added to the front and rear entrances of the church.

Parish celebrates the 150th anniversary of its establishment.

2003 Rev. Mr. Jim Kelly is appointed Deacon at the parish.

2004 Father Casey Mahone is appointed pastor.

2005 Father Mahone begins a series of lectures on the Catholic faith at the Parish Center beginning in May. The popular lectures attract a wide audience of both Catholics and non-Catholics. The topics include “Separated Brethren” which examines various Protestant denominations. “The Gospel of John” and “The Book of Revelation” complete the lecture series.

April 2, 2005 Pope John Paul the Great dies and is succeeded by Benedict XVI.

Father Mahone reinstitutes an annual parish picnic. Held over the Labor Day weekend at Southwood Park it has become a popular parish tradition.

2006 Father Mark Gallipeau is appointed associate pastor on June 3. He is the first associate assigned to the parish in nearly 24 years. He also serves as chaplain at Parkersburg Catholic High School.

The Children’s Liturgy of the Word begins during the 10:30 AM mass. This catechistical program introduces young children to the importance of God’s message in the Scriptures.

2007 On May 25th Father Soosai Arokiadass (Father Dass) is appointed associate pastor.

Renovation projects completed at the church during the years 2006-2007 include new glass in the center vestibule doors, exterior painting of the church, repair and treatment of the stone work, repairs to the bell tower and the St. Patrick bell, new weather proofing of the stained glass windows and the refurbishing of the tabernacle and various sacred vessels. At the rectory the attic is renovated to serve as a clergy apartment.

Father Casey Mahone is appointed pastor of St. Monica’s Parish in Lubeck as well as St. Xavier.

George Nedeff, a parishioner and the first deacon ever assigned to the parish, is ordained to the priesthood in Texas.

Father Robert Park and Msgr. Edward Sadie, St. Xavier parishioners, celebrate the 50th anniversary of their ordination to the priesthood.

Architecture – Elements of Gothic architecture are present in the building. However, these are subordinate to the dominant Romanesque order of the design. During the 1850’s and 1860’s the popularity of Romanesque revival style churches and buildings exceeded the public fancy for the Gothic. Catholics consider the Church a palace for the King of Kings. This explains the use of royal colors: gold, red, white and blue throughout the interior of the church.

Holy Water Fonts – Upon entering the interior of the church, one notices the small marble holy water fonts near the doors. Catholics dip their right hand in the holy water and sign themselves with the sign of the cross, as a reminder of their baptism, their faith in the Trinity, and the saving death and resurrection of Jesus.

Reconciliation Room – In this room off to your left, Catholics receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation (or Confession as it was formerly called). Catholics are obliged to confess to a priest if they know they have committed a serious sin by which they have deliberately cut themselves off from God.

Statues – St. Francis Xavier contains several beautiful statues. The first you will notice is Saint Theresa; others are the Sacred Heart, Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, St. Francis Xavier, St. Anthony and the Infant of Prague. Most of the statues were placed in the church in the 1920’s and 1930’s. Statues are like photographs; they serve to remind us of people we love.

Stations of the Cross – Along the walls, one notices the painted copper plates marking the fourteen Stations of the Cross – the journey of Christ from His condemnation to Calvary, his death and burial. Thus one is able to visit in spirit the places where these events took place in the Holy Land, and devoutly recall the Passion and death of our Lord. Persons can go from station to station privately, or join with the congregation at times of public reflection on the Stations. This devotion is particularly popular during Lent. The current Stations of the Cross, though not original to the church itself, were hand-painted on copper plates by Anton Figel in Munich, Germany, in 1929 and installed in the church in 1930, a gift of the Crotty family.

Old Confessionals – Midway up the side aisles you will notice a white confessional. Prior to changes implemented by Vatican Council II, the parishioners to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation used these intricately carved oak confessional “boxes”.

Stained Glass Windows – Like the stations, the stained glass windows are not original to the Church. On June 1, 1895 a boat-carrying nitroglycerin exploded on the Little Kanawha River destroying the original windows. The only windows not destroyed were those that face Market Street. The present stained glass windows were made and installed by the G. C. Riordan Company of Cincinnati, Ohio. Many of the windows have various religious and Christian symbols incorporated in them.

Murals – The murals of ST. Francis Xavier Church have been called “the most significant examples of ecclesiastical art in West Virginia today” by the WV Dept. of Culture and History. The three-dimensional, bas-relief style also known as tromp l’oeil painting or “fool-the-eye’” make the murals most noteworthy. Daniel Muller of Munich, Germany, who came from New York City, painted the murals and vaulted ceiling of the church in 1870 for the sum of $3500.00. The term fresco is also sometimes used, improperly, to describe the paintings. They are, in fact, tempera paintings or “distemper”. The artist applied watercolor mixed with egg or other adhesive substances directly to the dry plaster surface to create the murals. Muller intended for his paintings to imitate sculpture. The five center murals depict scenes from the life of Christ. The mural on the left side shows the Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven. The mural on the right side depicts our patron saint Francis Xavier at his death on the Island of Cancian in the Japanese Sea where he had gone to do missionary work. Other paintings are of the 12 apostles and various religious emblems.

Sanctuary – As you walk to the front center of the church, you will see the sanctuary. As in any Catholic Church, the focal point of honor is the altar, or table of the Lord, at which Eucharist is celebrated. The ornate white Gothic altar was used prior to Vatican II for the celebration of Mass. In its center is the tabernacle where the consecrated bread – or Blessed Sacrament – is reserved after mass to be taken as communion for the sick and as focus of special devotion. Suspended from the sanctuary ceiling is a red votive light that burns constantly. This “eternal light” denotes that the Lord Jesus, who is the light of the world, is present in the tabernacle.

Woodwork – Joseph Daris, a German carver of wood, handcrafted much of the interior and exterior woodwork. This master carpenter, whose work we continue to admire with awe today, crafted the original altars, the confessionals, communion rail, and exterior millwork.

Baptismal Font – This beautiful metal font is original to the church. Located to the right of the sanctuary, the top of the font depicts the Baptism of the Lord by John the Baptist. Around the font are symbols and depictions of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. At the foot are statues of the four Evangelists, to show the importance of Sacred Scripture in the Catholic’s life.

Sacristy – Located to the right of the sanctuary is the Children’s Chapel. The door to the right of St. Joseph’s altar gains entrance. Directly behind the sanctuary is the sacristy. The sacristy is an area where the priest and other liturgical ministers vest for services. A parish meeting room is located behind the left side of the sanctuary.

The Pipe Organ – As you start down the center aisle you will notice the choir loft above you. St. Xavier’s pipe organ is an instrument of 23 ½ ranks. This Casavant organ was built and installed in 1956. The console and pipes are located in the center of the loft. It is considered by many to be the finest organ in the Mid-Ohio Valley. The current replacement value is $235,000.

Pastors Vestibule – As you start to exit St. Xavier’s, you will go through the center vestibule, which contains the photographs of former pastors of St. Francis Xavier. This vestibule honors the men who worked here building the Kingdom of God. Memorial plaques located along the walls near the center vestibule doors honors the memory of our first pastor and subsequent pastors who died while in service to our church community.

Bells of St. Xavier’s – Rising 100 feet above the center vestibule is the bell tower, which was completed in 1915. The largest bell, dedicated to St. Catherine was hung at that time. The other bells, added in 1917, are consecrated to the honor of Saint Patrick and Saint Brigid. These bells have a chime-effect, which is most pleasing to hear. The MacShane Bell Foundry cast the bells in bronze in Baltimore, Maryland. Our bishop, Bernard Schmitt, best summed up the power of bells when he said, “Bells are the voice of God calling men to prayer.”

*Thank you Roger Nedeff