Today in Wheeling History: September 6—St. Paul’s Evangelical Protestant Church organized to serve South Wheeling’s German immigrant community (1867).
St. Paul’s Evangelical Protestant Church was established on September 6, 1867, when twenty-two German Protestant men met to form a new congregation in South Wheeling. At the time, the neighborhood—stretching from 16th to 43rd Streets—was heavily populated by German immigrant families who worked in nearby industries and lived in what was then known as Ritchey Town. Traveling to St. John’s German Lutheran Church on 18th Street posed challenges, especially for families with young children who needed confirmation instruction. The founders sought a local church that reflected their language, traditions, and community needs. Early charter families included Zimmer, Hundt, Becker, Rosel, Dannenberg, Beckendorf, Zulauf, Meyer, Armbrecht, Schul, Honecker, Rietz, ToFaute, Koch, and Dietrich. Peter Zimmer served as the first president, with Galthasar Schul as secretary and L. Honecker as treasurer. The Rev. Theodore A. Brueskner became the first minister, serving four years. Worship initially took place in the old Methodist Church at 37th and Jacob Streets and later at Third Presbyterian Church while a permanent building was constructed at 38th and Wood Streets, dedicated on October 31, 1868. For decades, St. Paul’s maintained strong German identity, conducting services and Sunday School in the German language until 1897, reflecting the cultural continuity of South Wheeling’s immigrant community.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library – St. Paul's Evangelical Protestant Church (https://tinyurl.com/4an48u6x), Ohio County Public Library - "History of St. Paul's Evangelical Church, 1867–1967" (https://tinyurl.com/4cya8r3c), Flickr - Ohio County Public Library - St. Paul's Evangelical Protestant Church (https://tinyurl.com/2rkh2br7)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV
St. Paul’s Evangelical Protestant Church was established on September 6, 1867, when twenty-two German Protestant men met to form a new congregation in South Wheeling. At the time, the neighborhood—stretching from 16th to 43rd Streets—was heavily populated by German immigrant families who worked in nearby industries and lived in what was then known as Ritchey Town. Traveling to St. John’s German Lutheran Church on 18th Street posed challenges, especially for families with young children who needed confirmation instruction. The founders sought a local church that reflected their language, traditions, and community needs. Early charter families included Zimmer, Hundt, Becker, Rosel, Dannenberg, Beckendorf, Zulauf, Meyer, Armbrecht, Schul, Honecker, Rietz, ToFaute, Koch, and Dietrich. Peter Zimmer served as the first president, with Galthasar Schul as secretary and L. Honecker as treasurer. The Rev. Theodore A. Brueskner became the first minister, serving four years. Worship initially took place in the old Methodist Church at 37th and Jacob Streets and later at Third Presbyterian Church while a permanent building was constructed at 38th and Wood Streets, dedicated on October 31, 1868. For decades, St. Paul’s maintained strong German identity, conducting services and Sunday School in the German language until 1897, reflecting the cultural continuity of South Wheeling’s immigrant community.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library – St. Paul's Evangelical Protestant Church (https://tinyurl.com/4an48u6x), Ohio County Public Library - "History of St. Paul's Evangelical Church, 1867–1967" (https://tinyurl.com/4cya8r3c), Flickr - Ohio County Public Library - St. Paul's Evangelical Protestant Church (https://tinyurl.com/2rkh2br7)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV
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