Today in Wheeling History: May 9--Thomson United Methodist Church began a week-long dedication of its new building (1915)
Thomson United Methodist Church began humbly over 125 years ago as Sunday School classes in Wheeling Island homes before Daniel Zane donated land at 24 South Broadway on May 15, 1854. Initially known as Island Church, the congregation received its first appointed minister, James A. Kibbe, in 1866 following the Civil War. The church was renamed to honor Bishop Edward Thomson, who died in Wheeling on March 22, 1870, while visiting E.J. Stone, one of the church's founders. After Billy Sunday's 1912 evangelistic campaign added 264 members, Wilbur E. Stone led a successful fundraising effort that collected $125,000 for a new church building. Designed by Fulton and Butler Architects of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, the impressive structure stands 98 feet tall at its towers, featuring multiple stained-glass windows and a sanctuary dome rising 48 feet above the floor. The cornerstone was laid in September 1913, with dedication services held May 9-16, 1915, led by Bishops Edwin Holt Hughes and William F. Anderson. The building includes the J.O.Y. Chapel, a Fellowship Hall that once hosted basketball games and Boy Scout Troop 10 meetings, and a Department of Education. In 2008, the historic building became home to New Life United Methodist Church, which later relocated to 724 North Front Street, leaving the Thomson building to house a childcare and learning center.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/4vp76n5t) (https://tinyurl.com/mvxx27eh); Historic Wheeling (https://tinyurl.com/3z5tax76)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Historic Wheeling
Thomson United Methodist Church began humbly over 125 years ago as Sunday School classes in Wheeling Island homes before Daniel Zane donated land at 24 South Broadway on May 15, 1854. Initially known as Island Church, the congregation received its first appointed minister, James A. Kibbe, in 1866 following the Civil War. The church was renamed to honor Bishop Edward Thomson, who died in Wheeling on March 22, 1870, while visiting E.J. Stone, one of the church's founders. After Billy Sunday's 1912 evangelistic campaign added 264 members, Wilbur E. Stone led a successful fundraising effort that collected $125,000 for a new church building. Designed by Fulton and Butler Architects of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, the impressive structure stands 98 feet tall at its towers, featuring multiple stained-glass windows and a sanctuary dome rising 48 feet above the floor. The cornerstone was laid in September 1913, with dedication services held May 9-16, 1915, led by Bishops Edwin Holt Hughes and William F. Anderson. The building includes the J.O.Y. Chapel, a Fellowship Hall that once hosted basketball games and Boy Scout Troop 10 meetings, and a Department of Education. In 2008, the historic building became home to New Life United Methodist Church, which later relocated to 724 North Front Street, leaving the Thomson building to house a childcare and learning center.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/4vp76n5t) (https://tinyurl.com/mvxx27eh); Historic Wheeling (https://tinyurl.com/3z5tax76)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Historic Wheeling
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