WHEELING, W.V.
Welty Home for the Aged: 1967-1988
Miss Clara Welty left the money from her estate to the Diocese of Wheeling, but the money was not to be used as long as she lived. Bishop Swint, Father Fahn, and their lawyer, Mr. Tucker, went ahead with the plans for a temporary home. Miss Welty gave them her home on Main and 9th Street in Wheeling, which was a beautiful residence. Because of traffic and other reasons, they did not use the property. The Fort Henry Bridge was to be built and the builders needed that property. With the money received from the sale of the property, they purchased the Reed Home on National Road and Washington Avenue, and added an additional twelve rooms.
Bird’s sight view of Wheeling
On October 2, 1950, the facility opened with Christine Herrick as first matron and Miss Eleanor Loecor as the first guest. Later the Sisters of the Nursing Carmelites came, but only stayed a few years. At that time Miss June Campbell took over as matron and remained there until the Pallotttine Sisters came in 1967: Sr. Assumpta Gorshe and Cyprian Schaller. The old home was still in operation, and there were twelve ladies in residence at the time.
In 1968, the new home was dedicated, and the third floor was completed in 1970, accommodating forty-four residents. This facility was built with the interest from the Welty Estate. The diocese still owned the house on National Road and it was used by the seminarians going to Wheeling College.
Welty Home for the Aged in Wheeling (photo: www.weltyhome.org)
Welty was not intended as a nursing home. It was a residence for elderly ladies who were ambulatory and did not require nursing care. The home was colorful, comfortable, and up-to-date, providing a cheerful environment for women in their later years of life.
The Pallottine Sisters left the Welty Home in 1988 due to the decrease in religious vocations at the time. The home still operates from the same location through lay leadership.
Our Lady of Lebanon Catholic Church of Maronites Rite in Wheeling
