St. Michael, Wheeling

In 1896, eight local men petitioned Bishop Donahue to build a church on the outskirts of Wheeling. Construction began the following year and the church was dedicated in 1897 with Rev. C.J. Kluser as pastor. Parishioners performed much of the labor. In 1900, the Marist Fathers were invited into the parish, staffing St. Michael until 1982 when the parish was transferred back to Diocesan control. In the late 1920s the parish acquired a tract of land on National Road. A new school was built in 1929, which the Sisters of Divine Providence staffed until it was transferred over to lay control. Ground was broken for a new church in August 1950 and completed within one year. It is considered to be one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in the Diocese.