History

The Chapel, located at 129½ Eighteenth Street, Wheeling, West Virginia, was built in 1900, as the chapel of the First Presbyterian Church. It was a mission designed to serve the Scotch-Irish immigrants of East Wheeling.

The Chapel became Laughlin Memorial Chapel in 1936, as a tribute to George Ashton Laughlin (1862-1936). Laughlin was a successful business man and politician, though he is best remembered as a practical philanthropist and devout presbyter.

During the 1960s and 1970s, the Chapel's focus became children and youth. It is a mission supported by churches of many denominations, individuals, civic organizations, businesses, and foundations. Services are offered to young people, without regard to race, religion, gender or background.

East Wheeling Today

Our East Wheeling neighborhood is marked by a number of distressing economic factors, with clear indicators prevalent in low-income areas. The elementary schools attended by Chapel participants have a free/reduced school lunch rate of over 80%. Based on information from the 2000 Census, approximately 44% of all family households are headed by a single female. More than 30% of all housing units are vacant and many are in very poor condition. The county's neighborhood elementary school was closed in the 1990s. School activities, which were formerly a center of the community, are outside of the neighborhood.

The high rate of poverty has spawned a range of social problems for families: abuse of alcohol and drugs, disintegrating families due to high rates of incarceration, absence of positve role models, grandparents or other relatives raising children, and minimal parenting skills.

Yet, despite the grim statistics, East Wheeling is a vital neighborhood. It is racially diverse and culturally tolerant. Along with its significant transient populations, there are long-rooted families. There is a real sense of community. The efforts of the Chapel are effective because we are blessed with strong collaborative partnerships. Our mission partners include Ohio County Schools, Catholic Neighborhood Center, Wheeling Catholic Elementary School, Wheeling Jesuit University, and West Liberty State College. Together, we form a comprehensive community program.

Looking Ahead

Plans are in place for renovation and expansion of the Chapel. The Chapel facility is antiquated and the program growth in the afterschool programs has exceeded its capabilities. The facility was not designed to accommodate the needs of a large afterschool program that includes a full nutrition program. Within the past two years, the Chapel afterschool program has grown from 35 children each afternoon to approximately 95. The current kitchen is barely able to meet the requirements of the nutrition program.

Our increased number of participants means that we must regularly divide children into groups and transport them to space provided by our community partners. The transition from one facility to another translates into additional time, which shortens the instructional period; additional staff; additional transportation expenses; and additional safety concerns.

Plans for the renovation and expansion have been designed by SMG Architects of Wheeling, WV. Chapel staff are always available to explain current programs and share future plans with church and civic groups. We would love to hear from you!