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February 20, 2026

PARKERSBURG, WV—Most Rev. Mark Brennan, Bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, announced today the launch of the “Crusaders: One Campus, One Community,” campaign designed to strengthen the long, storied tradition of Catholic education in the area.

The massive, $2 million, infrastructure project centers on relocating the elementary school to the existing high school campus by renovating the old PreK building/convent and executing improvements to the high school building.

To launch the campaign, Bishop Brennan announced a 3:1 match for this program totaling a possible $1.5-million investment from the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. The project will be dependent on the local community raising a minimum of $500,000 to bring it to fruition.

“Our young people are our greatest resource,” Bishop Brennan said. “As the primary educators of their children, parents have entrusted us to not only fill their child’s mind with knowledge of reading, writing, and arithmetic, but also to fill their hearts with faith and knowledge of the love God has for them. This project will continue that legacy, and with strong support from our families and the community, I look forward to seeing its completion.”

The project represents a milestone in the history of the Parkersburg Catholic community, moving from two separate locations to a single, vibrant campus for Pre-K through 12th-grade students. This transition is designed to foster a “Crusader Family” atmosphere where campus operations are streamlined for maximum efficiency.

Very Rev. John Rice, V.G., V. F., Vicar General for the Diocese and pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Parkersburg, said, “I am excited about this opportunity for us to invest in the future of Catholic education in the Mid-Ohio Valley. We have a great history that we build on every day: the investment of time, talent, and treasure that so many educators, parents, and Priests who have gone before us have made to hand on the excellent tradition that we have. I am privileged to be part of that tradition and excited for what this investment in the future brings for the Parkersburg Catholic community.”

“This project is a tremendous blessing for our parishes, school families, and community,” said Very Rev. Sebastian E. Devasya, V.E., Vicar for Clergy for the Diocese and pastor of St. Margaret Mary Parish in Parkersburg. “Bringing our youngest students onto a single unified campus will allow us to nurture their faith, learning, and sense of belonging from their very first years through graduation. I hope that this shared environment will strengthen our Catholic identity, deepen our sense of community, and help every child know they are part of something greater—a true Crusader family rooted in Christ. I am deeply grateful to Bishop Brennan for his vision, generosity, and steadfast support of Catholic education in Parkersburg. His leadership and commitment give us great confidence and hope for a vibrant future for our children and our Church.”

“I want to thank Bishop Brennan for this wonderful opportunity for the Parkersburg community. This project is a testament to our commitment to a sustainable and thriving future for Catholic education in the Mid-Ohio Valley,” said Jennifer Hornyak, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. “By bringing our community together on one campus, we won’t be just sharing a campus—we will be strengthening the bonds of our faith and our families.”

The “Crusaders: One Campus, One Community” project will be funded through a collaborative effort of diocesan support and local contributions. Construction and relocation phases will be scheduled to begin as soon as the local support for the project reaches the $500,000 initial goal.

If anyone would like to support this project, please contact Tara Nelson, Advancement Director, Parkersburg Catholic Schools: tnelson@pchs1.com for more information.