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Missionary work in Appalachia begins

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The history of the West Virginia portion of the Appalachia District (known as the Pittsburgh/West Virginia District until 2010) begins in 1972 when the Provincial Superior of the Eastern Province, Reverend Donald Ehr, SVD, decided to look for different ministries for returning missionaries. In addition to the social upheaval in the early 1970s, there was a back-to-the-earth movement afoot, especially in West Virginia. This factor, along with rural poverty and the sparse numbers of Catholics in the area, was a consideration for Ehr. He sensed that working in West Virginia would be a welcome opportunity for those returning from overseas. Here they could continue to be active, doing much-needed ministry without the hassle of too much administrative responsibility.
So it was, then, in October 1973 that the first two Divine Word Missionaries, Reverends Kenneth Reed and Edwin Daschbach, took on the task of pastor and associate at St. Thomas Church, Gassaway, and St. Anne Church in Webster Springs. These two parishes (missions) had been part of the Marists’ concern for many years.

It soon became evident, however, that if our work was to succeed in this mission environment, young men would be needed. The hope of Father Provincial Ehr to send older missionaries returning from overseas was quickly confronted with a new reality. The environment, the travel and the prejudices encountered would require youth and great vitality.


Helping the people with many of their physical, social and economic needs was going to take patience, as well as muscle, stamina and many good ideas. They involved themselves not only in proclaiming the Word, but also in many social ministries especially in housing rehabilitation. Several religious from the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur made themselves available from their Connecticut Province. They came to teach and to administer a food pantry and secondhand clothing center.
After Father Kenneth Reed requested laicization in 1977, Reverend Anthony Hemphill, SVD was assigned as pastor of St. Thomas in 1978. By 1979, Daschbach was appointed full-time pastor at St. Anne in Webster Springs, thus separating the responsibility for the two parishes. Under Reverend Edward Wald, SVD’s leadership beginning in 1984, St. Thomas grew to about 55 families with about 150 members. After Wald’s resignation in 1992, Reverend Elmer Nadicksbernd, SVD was able to organize a program to raise funds for repairing the church. By 2006, the renovations were completed and a rededication ceremony was held.
Previously the Society’s mission office in the East beginning in 1960, the Pittsburgh House was “bundled” together with the Appalachian parishes as a voting and governing unit in the mid-1980s. The Pittsburgh House closed in 2016.
The Society’s work in Appalachia is still ongoing. In addition to the original two parishes of St. Thomas and St. Anne, the SVDs have expanded to four more parishes. The Divine Word Missionaries continue to spread the charism of the Society while assisting with the physical, social, and economic needs of the communities of Appalachia in which they serve.

The text of this page is an adapted version of Communities of the Word, The Appalachia Story by Rev. Elmer Nadicksbernd and The Pittsburgh House by Rev. Dennis Logue