Today in Wheeling History: May 4--Mr. Beverly M. Eoff, a prominent Wheeling businessman and bondholder of St. John's Episcopal Church, made a legal demand for the payment of his bonds, with the support of other bondholders, due to the church's inability to pay its debts (1875).
St. John's Episcopal Church in Wheeling, West Virginia, was established in 1850 as a separate parish from St. Matthew's Church to serve Episcopalians living south of Wheeling Creek. The new church, sometimes referred to as "Eoff's Chapel" after a prominent family that supported it, was considered "high church" compared to the "low church" St. Matthew's.
Over the years, St. John's faced challenges including flood damage, financial difficulties, and declining membership. The interior was renovated in the 1850s to have a more elegant Gothic style. However, continuing money problems led to a crisis on May 4, 1875, when Mr. Beverly M. Eoff, a prominent Wheeling businessman and bondholder of St. John's Episcopal Church, made a legal demand for the payment of his bonds, with the support of other bondholders, due to the church's inability to pay its debts. Beverly M. Eoff was the son of Dr. John Eoff, after whom Eoff Street in Wheeling was named. As a result of the financial crisis, the church property was put up for auction in 1875 to pay off debts of around $10,000. It was purchased by J.P. Gilchrist, a member of the St. John's congregation, for $10,100, allowing it to remain an Episcopal church for the time being. The letter by John R. Eoff reflects on the history and changing ceremonial style of both St. John's and St. Matthew's churches.
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/4b6ba9st) (https://tinyurl.com/y4y9nzzj) (https://tinyurl.com/w9wcn2zj) (https://tinyurl.com/49rd7un8) (https://tinyurl.com/5nsbpavd) (https://tinyurl.com/juc7e726) (https://tinyurl.com/mwvuffsc) (https://tinyurl.com/3vjf4aap) (https://tinyurl.com/2njpknbs)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Find a Grave, Wheeling Intelligencer, Wheeling News-Register
St. John's Episcopal Church in Wheeling, West Virginia, was established in 1850 as a separate parish from St. Matthew's Church to serve Episcopalians living south of Wheeling Creek. The new church, sometimes referred to as "Eoff's Chapel" after a prominent family that supported it, was considered "high church" compared to the "low church" St. Matthew's.
Over the years, St. John's faced challenges including flood damage, financial difficulties, and declining membership. The interior was renovated in the 1850s to have a more elegant Gothic style. However, continuing money problems led to a crisis on May 4, 1875, when Mr. Beverly M. Eoff, a prominent Wheeling businessman and bondholder of St. John's Episcopal Church, made a legal demand for the payment of his bonds, with the support of other bondholders, due to the church's inability to pay its debts. Beverly M. Eoff was the son of Dr. John Eoff, after whom Eoff Street in Wheeling was named. As a result of the financial crisis, the church property was put up for auction in 1875 to pay off debts of around $10,000. It was purchased by J.P. Gilchrist, a member of the St. John's congregation, for $10,100, allowing it to remain an Episcopal church for the time being. The letter by John R. Eoff reflects on the history and changing ceremonial style of both St. John's and St. Matthew's churches.
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/4b6ba9st) (https://tinyurl.com/y4y9nzzj) (https://tinyurl.com/w9wcn2zj) (https://tinyurl.com/49rd7un8) (https://tinyurl.com/5nsbpavd) (https://tinyurl.com/juc7e726) (https://tinyurl.com/mwvuffsc) (https://tinyurl.com/3vjf4aap) (https://tinyurl.com/2njpknbs)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Find a Grave, Wheeling Intelligencer, Wheeling News-Register
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