Today in Wheeling History: January 24--The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston held a ceremony honoring the legacy of Blessed Martin School, a former segregated Catholic school for African American students, by blessing a restored statue of St. Martin de Porres and dedicating a commemorative plaque in Wheeling Central Catholic High School's gymnasium, with some former Blessed Martin alumni in attendance (2023).
Blessed Martin School operated from 1942-1955 at the northeast corner of 13th and Jacob Streets in East Wheeling, where Wheeling Central Catholic High School's gymnasium now stands. The school was established during Bishop John J. Swint's tenure after persistent advocacy from local African American Catholics. Initially facing low enrollment and community resistance, the school opened successfully on its third attempt. Under principal Sister Anne Patricia Whalen and a dedicated faculty including Sister Gabriella Wagner, the school earned a Class A rating from the state board of education in 1948. Despite limited resources, Blessed Martin excelled academically and athletically, notably playing in one of the northern panhandle's first integrated basketball games against Cameron High School in 1954. The school closed in 1955 following the Brown v. Board of Education decision, with many students integrating into Central Catholic High School and Cathedral Grade School. The 2023 ceremony featured former students including Ruth Stinson sharing memories and singing the school fight song, while Bishop Mark Brennan blessed a restored statue of St. Martin de Porres, replacing an original lost to time.
To learn more: Archiving Wheeling (https://tinyurl.com/36ksn89d), Wheeling Intelligencer (https://rb.gy/5cegio) (https://rb.gy/bk5np4), Weelunk (https://rb.gy/i4ntgp)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Sisters of St. Joseph, Wheeling, WV; Archives of the Diocese of Wheeling Charleston, Wheeling Intelligencer, Weelunk
Blessed Martin School operated from 1942-1955 at the northeast corner of 13th and Jacob Streets in East Wheeling, where Wheeling Central Catholic High School's gymnasium now stands. The school was established during Bishop John J. Swint's tenure after persistent advocacy from local African American Catholics. Initially facing low enrollment and community resistance, the school opened successfully on its third attempt. Under principal Sister Anne Patricia Whalen and a dedicated faculty including Sister Gabriella Wagner, the school earned a Class A rating from the state board of education in 1948. Despite limited resources, Blessed Martin excelled academically and athletically, notably playing in one of the northern panhandle's first integrated basketball games against Cameron High School in 1954. The school closed in 1955 following the Brown v. Board of Education decision, with many students integrating into Central Catholic High School and Cathedral Grade School. The 2023 ceremony featured former students including Ruth Stinson sharing memories and singing the school fight song, while Bishop Mark Brennan blessed a restored statue of St. Martin de Porres, replacing an original lost to time.
To learn more: Archiving Wheeling (https://tinyurl.com/36ksn89d), Wheeling Intelligencer (https://rb.gy/5cegio) (https://rb.gy/bk5np4), Weelunk (https://rb.gy/i4ntgp)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Sisters of St. Joseph, Wheeling, WV; Archives of the Diocese of Wheeling Charleston, Wheeling Intelligencer, Weelunk
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