Today in Wheeling History: June 16--Corpus Christi Parish was established in Warwood, West Virginia (now part of Wheeling), with Rev. Patrick Gilsenan appointed as the first pastor by Bishop Patrick Donahue (1916).
Corpus Christi Parish was established on June 16, 1916, to serve the growing Catholic population in the Warwood area of Wheeling, West Virginia. Rev. Patrick Gilsenan was appointed as the parish's first pastor by Bishop Patrick Donahue. Initially, church services were held in a rented home located behind the present rectory, while a combination church/school building was constructed on the site of the current school. The cornerstone for this structure was laid on September 24, 1916, in a ceremony presided over by Bishop Donahue, which was attended by approximately 5,000 people, with about 1,500 participating in a parade from 3rd to 26th Street.
The parish has been served by several pastors over the years, including Rev. Edward Galway (1921-1928), Rev. Arthur D. McSwiggan (1928-1934), Rev. William J. Lee (1934-1955), Rt. Rev. Msgr. Edmund J. Yahn (1955-1972), Rev. Daniel Kirwin (1972-1976), Rev. John J. O'Connell (1976-1979), Rev. A. James Myles (1979-1998), Rev. Msgr. Eugene Ostrowski (1998-2018), and Fr. Paul Mundumoozhikkaranirappel, C.S.T. (2018-present). Rev. John S. Kelly served as administrator of the parish from February to May 1934.
The cornerstone of the current Lombardic-style church, designed by renowned Pittsburgh architect Edward Weber, was laid on August 19, 1923, by Bishop John J. Swint. The church was formally dedicated with a Solemn High Mass on May 11, 1924. The church features a barrel-vaulted nave ceiling, a narthex running across the front, a sanctuary with a square end, and artistic elements such as painted glass windows by George W. Sotter of Philadelphia, hand-wrought chandeliers by Cox, Nostrand and Gunnison of Brooklyn, and white oak woodwork by the American Seating Company. The church has a seating capacity of 550, not including the organ tribune.
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Wheeling staffed Corpus Christi School from its inception until transitioning to lay leadership in the late 20th century. Additions to the school were completed in 1939, 1952, and 1959. The parish convent (present Parish Office) was purchased in 1942, with an addition in 1952, while the rectory saw an addition in 1962.
Corpus Christi Parish celebrated its golden jubilee in 1966, at which time it had 680 registered families, consisting of 643 men, 787 women, 385 pre-school children, and 740 school children, totaling 2,555 souls. The parish has a proud history of vocations, with 5 priests, 4 brothers, and 15 sisters among its sons and daughters during its first fifty years. One notable vocation is Bishop Bernard W. Schmitt, who became the seventh Bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston in 1989.
Recent milestones in the parish's history include the establishment of a community center in 1992 and a capital campaign in 2010-2012 for much-needed repairs and updates to the church, including the restoration of the stained-glass windows, roof repair, plaster repair, carpeting, and the restoration of original artwork painted inside.
To learn more: (https://shorturl.at/DbUJ4) (https://shorturl.at/q0PgE) (https://shorturl.at/yEmRT) (https://shorturl.at/rYh6X)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Corpus Christi School, The Clio
Corpus Christi Parish was established on June 16, 1916, to serve the growing Catholic population in the Warwood area of Wheeling, West Virginia. Rev. Patrick Gilsenan was appointed as the parish's first pastor by Bishop Patrick Donahue. Initially, church services were held in a rented home located behind the present rectory, while a combination church/school building was constructed on the site of the current school. The cornerstone for this structure was laid on September 24, 1916, in a ceremony presided over by Bishop Donahue, which was attended by approximately 5,000 people, with about 1,500 participating in a parade from 3rd to 26th Street.
The parish has been served by several pastors over the years, including Rev. Edward Galway (1921-1928), Rev. Arthur D. McSwiggan (1928-1934), Rev. William J. Lee (1934-1955), Rt. Rev. Msgr. Edmund J. Yahn (1955-1972), Rev. Daniel Kirwin (1972-1976), Rev. John J. O'Connell (1976-1979), Rev. A. James Myles (1979-1998), Rev. Msgr. Eugene Ostrowski (1998-2018), and Fr. Paul Mundumoozhikkaranirappel, C.S.T. (2018-present). Rev. John S. Kelly served as administrator of the parish from February to May 1934.
The cornerstone of the current Lombardic-style church, designed by renowned Pittsburgh architect Edward Weber, was laid on August 19, 1923, by Bishop John J. Swint. The church was formally dedicated with a Solemn High Mass on May 11, 1924. The church features a barrel-vaulted nave ceiling, a narthex running across the front, a sanctuary with a square end, and artistic elements such as painted glass windows by George W. Sotter of Philadelphia, hand-wrought chandeliers by Cox, Nostrand and Gunnison of Brooklyn, and white oak woodwork by the American Seating Company. The church has a seating capacity of 550, not including the organ tribune.
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Wheeling staffed Corpus Christi School from its inception until transitioning to lay leadership in the late 20th century. Additions to the school were completed in 1939, 1952, and 1959. The parish convent (present Parish Office) was purchased in 1942, with an addition in 1952, while the rectory saw an addition in 1962.
Corpus Christi Parish celebrated its golden jubilee in 1966, at which time it had 680 registered families, consisting of 643 men, 787 women, 385 pre-school children, and 740 school children, totaling 2,555 souls. The parish has a proud history of vocations, with 5 priests, 4 brothers, and 15 sisters among its sons and daughters during its first fifty years. One notable vocation is Bishop Bernard W. Schmitt, who became the seventh Bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston in 1989.
Recent milestones in the parish's history include the establishment of a community center in 1992 and a capital campaign in 2010-2012 for much-needed repairs and updates to the church, including the restoration of the stained-glass windows, roof repair, plaster repair, carpeting, and the restoration of original artwork painted inside.
To learn more: (https://shorturl.at/DbUJ4) (https://shorturl.at/q0PgE) (https://shorturl.at/yEmRT) (https://shorturl.at/rYh6X)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Corpus Christi School, The Clio
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