Today in Wheeling History: March 13--The old St. Matthew's Episcopal Church at 1206 Byron Street in Wheeling was sold to the Baptist Society for $8,000 (1866).
The old St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, located at 1206 Byron Street in Wheeling and now known as the "Blue Church," has been home to several congregations since its consecration on October 27, 1837, by Bishop William Meade. The church's former minister, Rev. John Armstrong, is said to have been buried beneath the altar after passing away while on a fundraising trip to cover the debt from the construction of the church.
Designed by architect James H. White in the Greek Revival style with a Doric entablature, it exemplifies the antebellum architecture of the era in Wheeling. In 1866, when St. Matthew's Episcopal congregation moved to their new church on Monroe Street (now 12th Street), Rev. Armstrong's remains were relocated and interred beneath the altar of the new church.
Later in 1866, St. Matthew's sold the building to the First Baptist Church, who occupied it until 1958. The House of Prayer then used the building from 1958 to 1987, followed by Jubilee Christian Fellowship (1988-1993), Faith Reformed Presbyterian Church (1994-1997), and the Church of God and Saints of Christ Tabernacle (2002-2014).
The "Blue Church" is considered one of the best surviving examples of pre-Civil War Greek Revival architecture in the city and was purchased by the Wheeling National Heritage Area Corporation (now Wheeling Heritage) in 2014. Currently, Wheeling Heritage owns the church and is preparing for a significant renovation project. They have received a grant of up to $75,000 from Opportunity Appalachia to conduct an engineering and structural study, as well as a market study for the possible reuse of the Blue Church. Potential ideas for the church's future include repurposing it as a brewery with live music or a 500-person entertainment venue. The expected cost of the renovation is $6 million, with the project estimated to create 140 jobs. Wheeling Heritage is now in the process of contacting contractors to move forward with the renovation.
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/mez4d9bb) (https://tinyurl.com/37ehynha) (https://tinyurl.com/yyubuju6) (https://tinyurl.com/4bnpt4tx) (https://tinyurl.com/yckfd4hh)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wheeling Heritage, Weelunk
The old St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, located at 1206 Byron Street in Wheeling and now known as the "Blue Church," has been home to several congregations since its consecration on October 27, 1837, by Bishop William Meade. The church's former minister, Rev. John Armstrong, is said to have been buried beneath the altar after passing away while on a fundraising trip to cover the debt from the construction of the church.
Designed by architect James H. White in the Greek Revival style with a Doric entablature, it exemplifies the antebellum architecture of the era in Wheeling. In 1866, when St. Matthew's Episcopal congregation moved to their new church on Monroe Street (now 12th Street), Rev. Armstrong's remains were relocated and interred beneath the altar of the new church.
Later in 1866, St. Matthew's sold the building to the First Baptist Church, who occupied it until 1958. The House of Prayer then used the building from 1958 to 1987, followed by Jubilee Christian Fellowship (1988-1993), Faith Reformed Presbyterian Church (1994-1997), and the Church of God and Saints of Christ Tabernacle (2002-2014).
The "Blue Church" is considered one of the best surviving examples of pre-Civil War Greek Revival architecture in the city and was purchased by the Wheeling National Heritage Area Corporation (now Wheeling Heritage) in 2014. Currently, Wheeling Heritage owns the church and is preparing for a significant renovation project. They have received a grant of up to $75,000 from Opportunity Appalachia to conduct an engineering and structural study, as well as a market study for the possible reuse of the Blue Church. Potential ideas for the church's future include repurposing it as a brewery with live music or a 500-person entertainment venue. The expected cost of the renovation is $6 million, with the project estimated to create 140 jobs. Wheeling Heritage is now in the process of contacting contractors to move forward with the renovation.
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/mez4d9bb) (https://tinyurl.com/37ehynha) (https://tinyurl.com/yyubuju6) (https://tinyurl.com/4bnpt4tx) (https://tinyurl.com/yckfd4hh)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wheeling Heritage, Weelunk
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