Our History
“Our Cathedral will be symbolic of all the Catholic Church stands for.” – Bishop John J. Swint
The Cathedral of St. Joseph, nestled in downtown Wheeling, West Virginia, stands as a testament to faith and resilience. Established in the early 19th century, the cathedral’s journey reflects the growth of the Catholic Church in the region and the deep dedication of its people.
The Catholic presence in Wheeling began in 1822 with a small log church served by Father Edward Fenwick. Initial members of the parish were primarily Irish and German immigrants. Despite their humble beginnings, their strong faith and dedication laid the foundation for a thriving Catholic community that would continue to grow in the years to come.
As the local Catholic community expanded, the need for a larger church led to the construction of a larger church in 1847, moving from its former location at the corner of 11th and Chapline Street further south to the corner of 13th and Eoff Street. When Pope Pius IX established the Diocese of Wheeling in 1850, St. James became the Cathedral of the Diocese, with Bishop Richard Vincent Whelan as its first bishop. In 1872, in response to the rising devotion to St. Joseph throughout the universal Church and the burgeoning labor movement among the Catholics of the coal fields, Bishop Whelan petitioned Rome to change the title of the Cathedral to honor St. Joseph.
Bishop Patrick J. Donahue, the third Diocesan Bishop, conceived a design for a new Cathedral Church and began to interview possible architects, eyeing Edward J. Weber of Pittsburgh, a rising star in Church architecture, as a likely candidate. Bishop Donahue’s death in October 1922, before work had even begun, may have scuttled all plans, were it not for a serendipitous fire in 1923 that did significant damage to the Cathedral structure. The fire cleared the way for Bishop John J. Swint, the fourth Bishop of Wheeling, to begin the construction of the new Cathedral, with the help of Weber and a team of artisans. The cornerstone was laid on May 5, 1923. In three short years, the new Cathedral was completed and the church was dedicated on April 21, 1926.
In the 1973, Bishop Joseph Hodges, the fifth Diocesan bishop, oversaw renovations made to the interior according to the norms set by the Second Vatican Council: the main altar was brought forward and centered under the dome, the original ambo (pulpit) and communion rail were removed, and side pews were reoriented to face the central altar.
Bishop Bernard W. Schmitt, the seventh Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston, oversaw extensive renovations to restore the Cathedral’s interior and adapt it to modern liturgical needs. Completed in 1996, the project included the conservation of murals, restoration of interior painting, and the addition of liturgical furnishings designed to match the original woodwork. Accessibility features were installed throughout, alongside upgrades to heating, cooling, electrical, lighting, and sound systems. Other improvements included a new baptismal fountain, restored flooring, and an addition with a kitchen and restrooms, as well as the revitalization of the courtyard. 
In 2006, a new period of restoration began, focusing on the Church’s roof and external windows to ensure a watertight structure and restoring the original Cathedra for liturgical use. The stained glass throughout the Cathedral has been under ongoing restoration for the past seven years, alongside smaller projects on the side altars and church furnishings. In 2012, significant sanctuary updates included a new floor, altar, and ambo, designed to reflect the original high altar, as well as refinishing the pews throughout the Church. |
The Cathedral of St. Joseph Parish has been a center of Catholic life in Wheeling and the Diocese from the time of its humble wood frame (1822) to the majesty of its Romanesque carved stone (1926). All city parishes and many in the Northern Panhandle were formed from the Cathedral: St. Anthony Parish (East Wheeling) was closed in 1978; Sacred Heart (North Wheeling), St. Joan of Arc (Fulton), and Blessed Trinity (Wheeling Island) were all closed in 1995 and merged with the Cathedral.
Today, the Cathedral of St. Joseph stands as a vibrant parish, a historic landmark, and a beacon of faith. Generations of parishioners have gathered here for worship, community, and service, and the cathedral continues to welcome all who seek a deeper connection with God.
