Tag: Archbishop Richard Whelan

May 31, 2008: Mount de Chantal Visitation Academy Graduates Last Class

The Mount de Chantal Visitation Academy in Wheeling graduated its last class of students on May 31, 2008. 

Bishop Richard Whelan founded the school in 1848 after encouraging eight Visitation Sisters from Baltimore to establish the Wheeling Female Academy. During the 1840s, scores of Catholic Irish immigrants were pouring into the Wheeling area to work on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. The school was initially located in downtown Wheeling but in 1865 moved to a new building on the former Steenrod farm, three miles outside the city.

Until 1982, Mount de Chantal was a boarding school, known for its strong academic and fine arts programs. Declining enrollment and financial support led to the school’s closing in 2008, ending 160 years of education at the Mount.

Architecturally, the Mount de Chantal building was a good example of eclecticism with ‘‘Mission’’ style features. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

After the school closed, Wheeling Hospital purchased Mount de Chantal and demolished the building. Wheeling Jesuit University is establishing the Mount de Chantal Conservatory of Music in honor of the Visitation Sisters. 

July 19, 1850: Pope Establishes Diocese of Wheeling

On July 19, 1850, Pope Pius IX established the Diocese of Wheeling to oversee Catholic parishes in what was then Western Virginia. Previously, Catholics in the western part of the state had been under the care of the Archbishop of Richmond, Richard Whelan.

However, Whelan realized the population in Western Virginia was growing so quickly that the vast region needed its own Catholic diocese. Whelan moved to Wheeling and became bishop of the new diocese.

The Diocese of Wheeling originally covered much of present-day West Virginia—with the exception of the Eastern Panhandle—plus 17 counties in southwestern Virginia.

It consisted of about 5,000 Catholics, who were served by four churches, three chapels, and six priests. It wasn’t until 1974 that the Eastern Panhandle counties were transferred to the Diocese of Wheeling, and the Virginia counties were given back to the Diocese of Richmond. At the same time, the name of the diocese was changed to the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, with a co-cathedral at Sacred Heart Parish in Charleston.

Today, the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston consists of nearly 100,000 members, accounting for about one of every 18 West Virginians.

Pope Establishes Diocese of Wheeling: July 19, 1850

On July 19, 1850, Pope Pius IX established the Diocese of Wheeling to oversee Catholic parishes in what was then Western Virginia. Previously, Catholics in the western part of the state had been under the care of the Archbishop of Richmond, Richard Whelan.

However, Whelan realized the population in Western Virginia was growing so quickly that the vast region needed its own Catholic diocese. Whelan moved to Wheeling and became bishop of the new diocese.

The Diocese of Wheeling originally covered much of present-day West Virginia—with the exception of the Eastern Panhandle—plus 17 counties in southwestern Virginia.

It consisted of about 5,000 Catholics, who were served by four churches, three chapels, and six priests. It wasn’t until 1974 that the Eastern Panhandle counties were transferred to the Diocese of Wheeling, and the Virginia counties were given back to the Diocese of Richmond. At the same time, the name of the diocese was changed to the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, with a co-cathedral at Sacred Heart Parish in Charleston.

Today, the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston consists of nearly 100,000 members, accounting for about one of every 18 West Virginians.

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