The History of St. Brendan Catholic Church
This history was updated on October 3, 2023, and is based on the history that originally published in the 2009 St. Brendan Parish Directory. Since 2009, it has been kept up-to-date, edited, and revised.
In 1893, Father Haimann, the Pastor of the Catholic parish in Thomas, traveled to Elkins once a month to celebrate Eucharist for the newly begun mission parish. Right from the beginning, Father Haimann spoke of erecting a church building for the handful of parishioners who made up the mission of Elkins. In February of 1896, he purchased a parcel of land for $300 and by March of 1897, with the help of approximately fifty Catholic families in the area, he had reached his dream of constructing a wooden Catholic church building in Elkins.
In 1897, Bishop Patrick J. Donahue chose a young man born in Kerry, Ireland, to serve as the first Pastor of Elkins, which now became a parish instead of a mission. Father John J. Daly spent only seven months after his ordination as an assistant to the Cathedral parish in Wheeling before being sent to Elkins. He would spend the rest of his life, the next twenty-seven years, serving the newly founded parish at Elkins, where he died at the age of fifty-seven.
On October 28, 1900, the St. Brendan parish had its first Confirmation celebrated by Bishop Donahue.
In 1893, Father Haimann, the Pastor of the Catholic parish in Thomas, traveled to Elkins once a month to celebrate Eucharist for the newly begun mission parish. Right from the beginning, Father Haimann spoke of erecting a church building for the handful of parishioners who made up the mission of Elkins. In February of 1896, he purchased a parcel of land for $300 and by March of 1897, with the help of approximately fifty Catholic families in the area, he had reached his dream of constructing a wooden Catholic church building in Elkins.
In 1897, Bishop Patrick J. Donahue chose a young man born in Kerry, Ireland, to serve as the first Pastor of Elkins, which now became a parish instead of a mission. Father John J. Daly spent only seven months after his ordination as an assistant to the Cathedral parish in Wheeling before being sent to Elkins. He would spend the rest of his life, the next twenty-seven years, serving the newly founded parish at Elkins, where he died at the age of fifty-seven.
On October 28, 1900, the St. Brendan parish had its first Confirmation celebrated by Bishop Donahue.
In 1901, Father Daly concluded the construction of a rectory on Henry Street (currently Park Street) at the cost of $5,000. The newly built rectory still stands to this present day, now attached to the large granite church structure of the corner of Randolph Avenue and Park Street which is now the Randolph County Creative Arts Center. On October 28, 1900, Bishop Donahue dedicated the church building in Elkins under the name and patronage of Saint Brendan. The name Brendan was an appropriate name for the parish situated in the midst of such beautiful mountains, since the name means, "A Dweller in The Hills". Father Daly began this parish with one hundred eighty-seven parishioners.
Father Daly's vision of opening a Catholic School in the area led him to purchase a triangle of land on the corner of Randolph Avenue and Fourth Street, which included a frame residence that was used as the first school. On September 23, 1907, Father Day opened Saint Brendan Grade School with an enrollment of sixty-five children. A Miss “Carrie” O'Neil was the lay teacher for the school. Since it became necessary to staff the school more completely, on September 4, 1918, the Dominican Sisters from Springfield, Kentucky took over the direction of the school. Two teachers, Sr. Sabina Filiatean and Sr. Rita Coleman, taught eighty-two pupils for eight months in this building. The school closed on October 7, 1918 due to the epidemic known as the “flu.” The school was reopened on November 7, 1918. Then on November 11, 1918, peace was declared by the nations ending The Great War, now known as World War I, and the school closed for the day.
Father Daly's vision of opening a Catholic School in the area led him to purchase a triangle of land on the corner of Randolph Avenue and Fourth Street, which included a frame residence that was used as the first school. On September 23, 1907, Father Day opened Saint Brendan Grade School with an enrollment of sixty-five children. A Miss “Carrie” O'Neil was the lay teacher for the school. Since it became necessary to staff the school more completely, on September 4, 1918, the Dominican Sisters from Springfield, Kentucky took over the direction of the school. Two teachers, Sr. Sabina Filiatean and Sr. Rita Coleman, taught eighty-two pupils for eight months in this building. The school closed on October 7, 1918 due to the epidemic known as the “flu.” The school was reopened on November 7, 1918. Then on November 11, 1918, peace was declared by the nations ending The Great War, now known as World War I, and the school closed for the day.
Father Daly built a new school building and by September 1920, the school opened for the new school year. In 1921, the attached Convent was built.
While leading the parish in its physical and spiritual growth, Father Daly purchased two cemeteries. The first, purchased in 1900, was only a short distance from the church building, while the second cemetery, on the Beverly Pike, was purchased in 1907.
As early as 1908, Father Daly began to express his dream of constructing a new church building to replace the wooden structure that had become so sacred to the parishioners. Many rejected Father Daly's idea for a new building, contesting that they saw no need for a new structure. Father Daly, however, kept the vision alive and was moving in that direction when he died on October 13, 1924. He was buried at Saint Brendan Cemetery on the Beverly Pike.
While leading the parish in its physical and spiritual growth, Father Daly purchased two cemeteries. The first, purchased in 1900, was only a short distance from the church building, while the second cemetery, on the Beverly Pike, was purchased in 1907.
As early as 1908, Father Daly began to express his dream of constructing a new church building to replace the wooden structure that had become so sacred to the parishioners. Many rejected Father Daly's idea for a new building, contesting that they saw no need for a new structure. Father Daly, however, kept the vision alive and was moving in that direction when he died on October 13, 1924. He was buried at Saint Brendan Cemetery on the Beverly Pike.
The new church building became a reality three years after Father Daly’s passing. At the time, Father John H. Corcoran was Pastor of the parish, and he noted that Father Daly left a large donation to the parish for the new Church building. In 1928, the building was finished and Father Corcoran dedicated two of the largest windows in the building in honor of Father Daly.
Father Corcoran and the parishioners of Saint Brendan became extremely fond of their new, beautiful parish home. On September 30, 1928, Bishop John J. Swint, Bishop of Wheeling, celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation in the new parish building for the first time. The growth of the parish is reflected in the fact that there were one hundred children and adults confirmed.
Another important and proud moment for the parish came with the celebration of the First Eucharistic Liturgy by a native of Elkins. On May 30, 1928, Father Charles Hamlin celebrated his First Eucharistic Liturgy in the new parish building.
On March 12, 1933, just nine years after the death of Father Daly, Father Corcoran died in the parish rectory and was buried in Saint Brendan Cemetery.
Father Paul D. Othling became the new pastor of the parish in May, 1933. The parish home was now nine years old and in need of painting and decorating. Father Othling had the interior decorated.
In April 1942, due to failing health, Father Othling left the parish. For the next nine months, several ordained priests came to fill in for him. They were Father Leo R. Fohl and Fr. Robert H. Hickey.
On January 1, 1943, Bishop Swint appointed Father Joseph Sieber as pastor. He soon won the hearts of many in the parish with his deep concern and love for the people. Father Sieber continued to enhance the beauty of the church building by purchasing oak pews and a Wicks organ for the parish. After serving the parish for seven years, Father Sieber died in Elkins, to the great sadness of many who highly regarded his holiness and dedication.
A series of pastors followed Father Sieber. The first was Father Paul Helsley, who served as pastor from 1950 to 1954. On May 30, 1953, Bishop Thomas J. McDonnell ordained Father Patrick Gillooly in Saint Brendan Church. At Father Helsley’s request, Father Gillooly, who was a native of Elkins, celebrated his First Eucharistic Liturgy at Saint Brendan.
Father Edward Belanger followed Father Helsley and served from 1954 to 1956. He had hoped to build a High School attached to the grade school, but he could not raise enough funds for the project. Father Eugene Jacobs became pastor in 1956 and served for three years. He renovated the rectory, which was now fifty-five years old at that time, and in need of repair.
Father Corcoran and the parishioners of Saint Brendan became extremely fond of their new, beautiful parish home. On September 30, 1928, Bishop John J. Swint, Bishop of Wheeling, celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation in the new parish building for the first time. The growth of the parish is reflected in the fact that there were one hundred children and adults confirmed.
Another important and proud moment for the parish came with the celebration of the First Eucharistic Liturgy by a native of Elkins. On May 30, 1928, Father Charles Hamlin celebrated his First Eucharistic Liturgy in the new parish building.
On March 12, 1933, just nine years after the death of Father Daly, Father Corcoran died in the parish rectory and was buried in Saint Brendan Cemetery.
Father Paul D. Othling became the new pastor of the parish in May, 1933. The parish home was now nine years old and in need of painting and decorating. Father Othling had the interior decorated.
In April 1942, due to failing health, Father Othling left the parish. For the next nine months, several ordained priests came to fill in for him. They were Father Leo R. Fohl and Fr. Robert H. Hickey.
On January 1, 1943, Bishop Swint appointed Father Joseph Sieber as pastor. He soon won the hearts of many in the parish with his deep concern and love for the people. Father Sieber continued to enhance the beauty of the church building by purchasing oak pews and a Wicks organ for the parish. After serving the parish for seven years, Father Sieber died in Elkins, to the great sadness of many who highly regarded his holiness and dedication.
A series of pastors followed Father Sieber. The first was Father Paul Helsley, who served as pastor from 1950 to 1954. On May 30, 1953, Bishop Thomas J. McDonnell ordained Father Patrick Gillooly in Saint Brendan Church. At Father Helsley’s request, Father Gillooly, who was a native of Elkins, celebrated his First Eucharistic Liturgy at Saint Brendan.
Father Edward Belanger followed Father Helsley and served from 1954 to 1956. He had hoped to build a High School attached to the grade school, but he could not raise enough funds for the project. Father Eugene Jacobs became pastor in 1956 and served for three years. He renovated the rectory, which was now fifty-five years old at that time, and in need of repair.
In 1959, Father Charles Doyle, the new pastor, became known and loved throughout the city of Elkins for his daily walks and chats with merchants and others in town. He too redecorated the interior of the church building, and he renovated the Sister’s residence, which was attached to the school.
During the pastorate of Father Doyle, the Second Vatican Council took place, and the pastor's role in the parish began to change with the greater involvement of laity in the ministry of the Church. Father Doyle retired from the active ministry in 1965.
In May of 1966, Father Frederick Heckle, a native of Elkins, was ordained for the Richmond Diocese. He celebrated his first Eucharistic Liturgy at Saint Brendan.
On September 3, 1968, Bishop Joseph H. Hodges, the Bishop of Wheeling, appointed Father Mark Kraus as pastor of Saint Brendan Parish. Father Kraus established the first Parish Pastoral Council in the parish and had the sad duty of closing the Catholic school due to rising costs and declining enrollment. He brought in two Dominican Sisters to help direct the religious education programs for the parish.
On April 3, 1971, Bishop Hodges ordained Charles McCallister to serve in our Diocese. The next day, on April 4th, Father McCallister celebrated his first Eucharistic Liturgy in Saint Brendan Parish.
Due to the failing health of Father Kraus, Bishop Hodges appointed Father William A. Anderson as Pastor of Saint Brendan Parish on November 6, 1979.
In 1980, Sister Marjean Staud, a Sister of Saint Joseph of Wheeling, and Sister Anne Flynn of the Sisters of Charity, accepted the positions of pastoral associate and directress of religious education. Deacon Dean Borgmeyer (now Father) served several months in the parish as part of his pastoral training. Deacon Borgmeyer was followed the next year by Deacon Paul Wharton (now Father).
During the pastorate of Father Doyle, the Second Vatican Council took place, and the pastor's role in the parish began to change with the greater involvement of laity in the ministry of the Church. Father Doyle retired from the active ministry in 1965.
In May of 1966, Father Frederick Heckle, a native of Elkins, was ordained for the Richmond Diocese. He celebrated his first Eucharistic Liturgy at Saint Brendan.
On September 3, 1968, Bishop Joseph H. Hodges, the Bishop of Wheeling, appointed Father Mark Kraus as pastor of Saint Brendan Parish. Father Kraus established the first Parish Pastoral Council in the parish and had the sad duty of closing the Catholic school due to rising costs and declining enrollment. He brought in two Dominican Sisters to help direct the religious education programs for the parish.
On April 3, 1971, Bishop Hodges ordained Charles McCallister to serve in our Diocese. The next day, on April 4th, Father McCallister celebrated his first Eucharistic Liturgy in Saint Brendan Parish.
Due to the failing health of Father Kraus, Bishop Hodges appointed Father William A. Anderson as Pastor of Saint Brendan Parish on November 6, 1979.
In 1980, Sister Marjean Staud, a Sister of Saint Joseph of Wheeling, and Sister Anne Flynn of the Sisters of Charity, accepted the positions of pastoral associate and directress of religious education. Deacon Dean Borgmeyer (now Father) served several months in the parish as part of his pastoral training. Deacon Borgmeyer was followed the next year by Deacon Paul Wharton (now Father).
On September 3, 1968, Bishop Joseph H. Hodges, the Bishop of Wheeling, appointed Father Mark Kraus as pastor of Saint Brendan Parish. Father Kraus established the first Parish Pastoral Council in the parish and had the sad duty of closing the Catholic school due to rising costs and declining enrollment. He brought two Dominican Sisters to help direct religious education programs for the parish
On April 3, 1971, Bishop Hodges ordained Charles McCallister to serve in our Diocese. The next day, on April 4, Father McCallister celebrated his first Eucharistic Liturgy in Saint Brendan Parish.
On April 3, 1971, Bishop Hodges ordained Charles McCallister to serve in our Diocese. The next day, on April 4, Father McCallister celebrated his first Eucharistic Liturgy in Saint Brendan Parish.
Due to the failing health of Father Kraus, Bishop Hodges appointed Father William A. Anderson as Pastor of Saint Brendan Parish on November 6, 1979.
In 1980, Sister Marjean Staud, a Sister of Saint Joseph of Wheeling, and Sister Anne Flynn of the Sisters of Charity, accepted the positions of pastoral associate and directress of religious education. Deacon Dean Borgmeyer (now Father) served several months in the parish as part of his pastoral training. Deacon Borgmeyer was followed the next year by Deacon Paul Wharton (now Father).
Many of the changes rooted in the Second Vatican Council were beginning to have their effect during the 1980's especially in the area of lay ministry. Among these changes was a need to renovate places of worship. Father Anderson proposed to the Parish Pastoral Council in 1981 that a renovation of the Saint Brendan church building be undertaken to adapt the structure to the liturgical requirements of the Second Vatican Council. The renovation plans caused some understandable reaction from those who saw no need for change. Others in the parish saw a need for reconstruction and supported the idea.
When the estimated cost of renovation reached $500,000, Father Anderson, after conferring with the Parish Pastoral Council, asked the parish to vote whether to proceed with the renovation or build a new parish home. Father Kraus had purchased eight acres adjacent to the cemetery on the Beverly Pike, and it was this land which was to be used for the new St. Brendan parish home.
At the end of August 1985, Sister Mary Ella Morrison, a Dominican Sister of Hope, became a pastoral associate in the parish. After the retirement of the parish secretary, Mrs. Mary Patterson (who had served the parish for many years), Mrs. Patricia Karlen became the Parish Pastoral Coordinator.
In 1980, Sister Marjean Staud, a Sister of Saint Joseph of Wheeling, and Sister Anne Flynn of the Sisters of Charity, accepted the positions of pastoral associate and directress of religious education. Deacon Dean Borgmeyer (now Father) served several months in the parish as part of his pastoral training. Deacon Borgmeyer was followed the next year by Deacon Paul Wharton (now Father).
Many of the changes rooted in the Second Vatican Council were beginning to have their effect during the 1980's especially in the area of lay ministry. Among these changes was a need to renovate places of worship. Father Anderson proposed to the Parish Pastoral Council in 1981 that a renovation of the Saint Brendan church building be undertaken to adapt the structure to the liturgical requirements of the Second Vatican Council. The renovation plans caused some understandable reaction from those who saw no need for change. Others in the parish saw a need for reconstruction and supported the idea.
When the estimated cost of renovation reached $500,000, Father Anderson, after conferring with the Parish Pastoral Council, asked the parish to vote whether to proceed with the renovation or build a new parish home. Father Kraus had purchased eight acres adjacent to the cemetery on the Beverly Pike, and it was this land which was to be used for the new St. Brendan parish home.
At the end of August 1985, Sister Mary Ella Morrison, a Dominican Sister of Hope, became a pastoral associate in the parish. After the retirement of the parish secretary, Mrs. Mary Patterson (who had served the parish for many years), Mrs. Patricia Karlen became the Parish Pastoral Coordinator.
On September 25, 1995, the parish took its first major step in building its new parish home. Parishioners joined in an official groundbreaking ceremony on the building site where Father William A. Anderson blessed the site and prayed, along with the assembled members of the parish, for God's blessings on the project.
During the next four years, parish members and the Elkins community watched the new parish home being built under the direction of Mr. Willie Arbogast, the construction manager. The architectural firm for the structure was Knights Associates, with Mr. Tom Cain as the central architect for the building. Throughout the building of the new parish home, parishioners took part in tours during each new phase of the construction.
During the next four years, parish members and the Elkins community watched the new parish home being built under the direction of Mr. Willie Arbogast, the construction manager. The architectural firm for the structure was Knights Associates, with Mr. Tom Cain as the central architect for the building. Throughout the building of the new parish home, parishioners took part in tours during each new phase of the construction.
On October 3, 1999, Bishop Bernard Schmitt, Bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, joined with twenty-five ordained priests of the Diocese and close to seven hundred parishioners and visitors to dedicate our new Saint Brendan Parish home. Craig Stihler, a parishioner, composed a song for the occasion entitled, "We Are the House of the Lord". The song reminds us that we are a people dedicated to God and His true Church.
At the time of the dedication, the worship space within the church had been completed, but there remained a great deal of finishing work throughout the rest of the building. During the first couple of years in the new church, stonework continued on the outside and finishing work continued in the parish hall and religious education classrooms. Countless hours of volunteer work by parishioners occurred during this time to supplement the work on the construction crews. In 2005 the parking lot was blacktopped.
It was during this time, that Saint Brendan became the home for a cluster of parishes that included Saint Patrick Parish in Coalton, Resurrection Mission in Belington, and Saint John Bosco Parish in Huttonsville. Father Anderson was assisted in providing pastoral services to the cluster by Father Giles LeVasseur from 2002-2003, Father Thomas Dagle from 2003-2004, and then Priest in Residence, Father Eric Antwi from the Diocese of Konongo-Mampong, Ghana from 2005-2008. Additional staff serving in the cluster parishes includes Rev. Mr. Louis Bellina, permanent deacon at St. John Bosco; Sister Teresa Reddington, administrator at Resurrection Mission; Rev. Mr. John Sarraga, permanent deacon at St. Brendan, and Rev. Mr. Raymond Goodwin, Permanent Deacon and Pastoral Services Liaison for the Weston Vicariate and Director for Religious Education at St. Brendan Church.
In the fall of 2006, Father Anderson announced his plan to retire from active ministry. He celebrated his final liturgy as Pastor of Saint Brendan on January 31, 2007. That same day, several hundred parishioners attended a celebration honoring Father Anderson's 27 years of dedicated service to the parish. Everyone thanked him for his spiritual guidance and counseling that his ministry as Pastor had provided to the church family.
Bishop Michael Bransfield appointed the Very Reverend Donald X. Higgs to serve as new pastor of Saint Brendan effective February 21, 2007. Father Eric Antwi continued to serve as Pastor in Residence at Saint Patrick Parish in Coalton and assisted in the pastoral work for the cluster until 2008, as well as Sr. Teresa Reddington and the Deacons.
It was during this time, that Saint Brendan became the home for a cluster of parishes that included Saint Patrick Parish in Coalton, Resurrection Mission in Belington, and Saint John Bosco Parish in Huttonsville. Father Anderson was assisted in providing pastoral services to the cluster by Father Giles LeVasseur from 2002-2003, Father Thomas Dagle from 2003-2004, and then Priest in Residence, Father Eric Antwi from the Diocese of Konongo-Mampong, Ghana from 2005-2008. Additional staff serving in the cluster parishes includes Rev. Mr. Louis Bellina, permanent deacon at St. John Bosco; Sister Teresa Reddington, administrator at Resurrection Mission; Rev. Mr. John Sarraga, permanent deacon at St. Brendan, and Rev. Mr. Raymond Goodwin, Permanent Deacon and Pastoral Services Liaison for the Weston Vicariate and Director for Religious Education at St. Brendan Church.
In the fall of 2006, Father Anderson announced his plan to retire from active ministry. He celebrated his final liturgy as Pastor of Saint Brendan on January 31, 2007. That same day, several hundred parishioners attended a celebration honoring Father Anderson's 27 years of dedicated service to the parish. Everyone thanked him for his spiritual guidance and counseling that his ministry as Pastor had provided to the church family.
Bishop Michael Bransfield appointed the Very Reverend Donald X. Higgs to serve as new pastor of Saint Brendan effective February 21, 2007. Father Eric Antwi continued to serve as Pastor in Residence at Saint Patrick Parish in Coalton and assisted in the pastoral work for the cluster until 2008, as well as Sr. Teresa Reddington and the Deacons.
In November 2008, Saint Brendan Parish was shocked and saddened with the death of Sister Teresa Reddington, just five weeks after the parish held a 60th Anniversary Celebration honoring the years she committed to religious life. Sister Teresa’s religious work and volunteering touched the lives of many Catholics and non-Catholics in the Elkins, Belington, Coalton, and surrounding communities.
Starting in 2009, parishioners began raising money for the Saint Brendan Statue, kneelers that were added to the worship area chairs, and a digital baby grand piano for the music program.
Parishioner Terry Binns kept track of donations for the statue and when enough money was raised, the statue was ordered. In the summer of 2009, the cement was poured for the statue the last week of June as the statue was to be shipped in July. When it arrived, it was unpacked and put into place by Patsy Ricotilli, Mike Woods, Fr. Don Higgs, Neil Williams, Jerry Carter, Casey Jones, John Sainato, and Tom Staud and the statue cleanup was by Sally Ricottilli, Paula Staud, and Phyllis Brownlee. The statue was dedicated on October 11, 2009, during the 10th anniversary of the church dedication.
Parishioner Terry Binns kept track of donations for the statue and when enough money was raised, the statue was ordered. In the summer of 2009, the cement was poured for the statue the last week of June as the statue was to be shipped in July. When it arrived, it was unpacked and put into place by Patsy Ricotilli, Mike Woods, Fr. Don Higgs, Neil Williams, Jerry Carter, Casey Jones, John Sainato, and Tom Staud and the statue cleanup was by Sally Ricottilli, Paula Staud, and Phyllis Brownlee. The statue was dedicated on October 11, 2009, during the 10th anniversary of the church dedication.
In 2011, through a Capital Campaign, funds were donated for improvements to the church including the replacement of the roof and gutters, repairing, and repaving the parking lots and entrance, the addition of heaters in the entrance / gathering area, a glass barrier around the baptismal font, and replacing the worship area sound system.
In May 2016, Bishop Michael J. Bransfield named Father Higgs pastor of the Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Charleston, WV and named Father Mark T. Gallipeau as pastor of St. Brendan. Father Mark's first day at St. Brendan was June 15th. Together with the Finance Council, Father Mark worked diligently to reduce the church debt and automatic doors for the handicapped on the worship area level were added.
In May 2016, Bishop Michael J. Bransfield named Father Higgs pastor of the Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Charleston, WV and named Father Mark T. Gallipeau as pastor of St. Brendan. Father Mark's first day at St. Brendan was June 15th. Together with the Finance Council, Father Mark worked diligently to reduce the church debt and automatic doors for the handicapped on the worship area level were added.
Parishioners were shocked with the death of Father Mark on April 25th, 2017, after a short illness. Father Mark's funeral Mass was celebrated by Bishop Bransfield and priests from throughout the Diocese, family members, and parishioners from both Saint Brendan and Saint Patrick Churches and he was laid to rest in the Saint Brendan Catholic Cemetery.
Bishop Bransfield named Father John "Chapin" Engler Jr. as pastor of Saint Brendan on May 10, 2017. Father Chapin had been serving the parishes of Saint Charles Borromeo in White Sulphur Springs, Saint Catherine of Siena in Ronceverte, and Saint Louis in Lewisburg before his appointment to Saint Brendan and Saint Patrick. During his time at both churches, Father Chapin worked to get new altar server outfits and to increase members and attendance.
Before coming to St. Brendan, Father Chapin had been producing a weekly TV program “Daily Living with Father Chapin” seen on TV networks across the country. He continued doing the show after coming to St. Brendan, setting up a recording studio in the St. Brendan rectory basement using the bottom part of the old church altar with a scene depicting The Last Supper as a backdrop. He enlisted a parishioner, Dan Kelly, to operate the video camera, teleprompter, and provide computer help.
In May of 2018, Father Chapin was appointed pastor of Christ the King Parish in Dunbar, Holy Trinity Parish in Nitro, and Saint Patrick Mission in Bancroft effective June 20, 2018, by Bishop Bransfield. Not long after moving to his new placement, Father Chapin was severely injured when struck by a car while crossing a street in Charlotte, North Carolina while visiting his parents. Over a period of several years, he recovered from his serious injuries and is doing well today.
Also, effective June 20th, Bishop Bransfield named Father James. E. O'Connor who had been serving as pastor of the parishes of St. Augustine in Grafton, St. Elizabeth in Phillippi, and Alderson Broaddus College in Phillippi, as the new Pastor at St. Brendan, replacing Father Chapin.
In 2020, the Coronavirus Pandemic was spreading. Many people across the country and in West Virginia became ill, with record hospitalizations and some dying. During the fifth week of Lent, Bishop Mark Brennan closed the Catholic churches in the Diocese as recommended by federal and state health officials to help protect parishioners and visitors from the spread of the virus.
Bishop Bransfield named Father John "Chapin" Engler Jr. as pastor of Saint Brendan on May 10, 2017. Father Chapin had been serving the parishes of Saint Charles Borromeo in White Sulphur Springs, Saint Catherine of Siena in Ronceverte, and Saint Louis in Lewisburg before his appointment to Saint Brendan and Saint Patrick. During his time at both churches, Father Chapin worked to get new altar server outfits and to increase members and attendance.
Before coming to St. Brendan, Father Chapin had been producing a weekly TV program “Daily Living with Father Chapin” seen on TV networks across the country. He continued doing the show after coming to St. Brendan, setting up a recording studio in the St. Brendan rectory basement using the bottom part of the old church altar with a scene depicting The Last Supper as a backdrop. He enlisted a parishioner, Dan Kelly, to operate the video camera, teleprompter, and provide computer help.
In May of 2018, Father Chapin was appointed pastor of Christ the King Parish in Dunbar, Holy Trinity Parish in Nitro, and Saint Patrick Mission in Bancroft effective June 20, 2018, by Bishop Bransfield. Not long after moving to his new placement, Father Chapin was severely injured when struck by a car while crossing a street in Charlotte, North Carolina while visiting his parents. Over a period of several years, he recovered from his serious injuries and is doing well today.
Also, effective June 20th, Bishop Bransfield named Father James. E. O'Connor who had been serving as pastor of the parishes of St. Augustine in Grafton, St. Elizabeth in Phillippi, and Alderson Broaddus College in Phillippi, as the new Pastor at St. Brendan, replacing Father Chapin.
In 2020, the Coronavirus Pandemic was spreading. Many people across the country and in West Virginia became ill, with record hospitalizations and some dying. During the fifth week of Lent, Bishop Mark Brennan closed the Catholic churches in the Diocese as recommended by federal and state health officials to help protect parishioners and visitors from the spread of the virus.
Since parishioners couldn’t attend mass in person, Father Jim decided to provide a weekly Sunday mass for parishioners that they could watch and take part in from home. He enlisted parishioner Dan Kelly, who had the skills and experience to help. These video online masses, provided on YouTube and the St. Brendan website, started the sixth weekend of Lent, 2020. After getting started, Deacon Raymond Godwin and Sister Mary Ella Morrison also took part in the celebration of these masses and several parish musicians, Craig Stihler (guitar and vocals), Hillary Barlow (vocals), and Grace Roy (piano accompanist) were recorded by Father Jim, performing mass music, and entrance and closing hymns and the recordings were used in the mass videos.
Since the numbers of those being infected with Covid had decreased greatly due to the availability of vaccinations and booster shots, Bishop Brennan re-opened the diocese churches the weekend of May 23rd and 24th of 2020 with masking and other health guidelines. However, since some elderly parishioners were not attending mass in person yet, Father Jim continued the weekly mass videos until Easter Sunday of 2022.
On September 1, 2020, Sister Mary Ella Morrison, OP a Dominican Sister of Hope, passed away after an extended illness. Sister Mary Ella had been a pastoral associate in the parish from 1985-2002. She also served as a hospice chaplain in Elkins from 2003 until 2011. After her retirement, she continued to minister to the communities of St. Brendan and St. Patrick parishes where she was greatly loved and respected by parishioners and the Elkins and surrounding community. Due to the pandemic, a planned memorial service and dinner at St. Brendan for friends and family, had to be postponed for a year, and was held on September 11, 2021 at St. Brendan. At the Memorial Mass, A “Holy Family” statue was revealed and dedicated in memory of Sr. Mary Ella during the mass. Afterwards it was placed in the Family Chapel.
Since the numbers of those being infected with Covid had decreased greatly due to the availability of vaccinations and booster shots, Bishop Brennan re-opened the diocese churches the weekend of May 23rd and 24th of 2020 with masking and other health guidelines. However, since some elderly parishioners were not attending mass in person yet, Father Jim continued the weekly mass videos until Easter Sunday of 2022.
On September 1, 2020, Sister Mary Ella Morrison, OP a Dominican Sister of Hope, passed away after an extended illness. Sister Mary Ella had been a pastoral associate in the parish from 1985-2002. She also served as a hospice chaplain in Elkins from 2003 until 2011. After her retirement, she continued to minister to the communities of St. Brendan and St. Patrick parishes where she was greatly loved and respected by parishioners and the Elkins and surrounding community. Due to the pandemic, a planned memorial service and dinner at St. Brendan for friends and family, had to be postponed for a year, and was held on September 11, 2021 at St. Brendan. At the Memorial Mass, A “Holy Family” statue was revealed and dedicated in memory of Sr. Mary Ella during the mass. Afterwards it was placed in the Family Chapel.
What does the future hold for Saint Brendan Parish? We believe, that with Father O'Connor's guidance and with the continued active and generous participation of our parishioners, Saint Brendan Parish will continue to thrive, grow, and conduct its mission “as stewards of God's creation, striving to work for the greater honor and glory of God, in our families, our parish and our community."
(C)2024 Saint Brendan Catholic Church, Elkins WV