Oblates in Appalachia Remembered

On Aug. 17, 2025, Holy Family Church, Pearisburg, VA celebrated its 60th anniversary of founding.  The first 6 pastors, from 1965-1988, were Oblates.  The founding pastor, Father Joe Curtin, O.M.I. persuaded the bishop to have one of the first free standing altars in the USA, if not the first, to be built in the church.

About 150 people attended the anniversary Mass, at 4:30 pm, on Aug. 17.  A message of thanks from Father Harry Winter, O.M.I., pastor from1979-82, was read. Bishop Barry Knestout of the Richmond, VA Diocese presided.

Approximately 50 Oblates served in this rural section of the USA known as Appalachia, beginning in 1941 and ending in 2006. They obtained much support from the former Easter US Province to provide food, medical supplies, housing, etc, to this poverty stricken area.  

Father Jim MacGee O.M.I., pastor from 1982-88, adopted two teen boys and served as their foster father, housing them in Holy Family rectory.  One of them, Russell Simpson, gave the words of remembrance at Fr. MacGee’s funeral in Tewksbury, MA on Oct. 17, 2017, attended the 60th anniversary and sent the 2 photos of the 60th anniversary.

For further reading, please visit the link below:
Appalachia, Rise and Fall of Oblate Ministry, 1941 – 2007

Written by Fr. Harry Winter, OMI https://harrywinter.org