Blessed Sacrament Church at 305 E Street, South Charleston, WV 25303 US - History

The doors to Blessed Sacrament Church opened August 10, 1941, under the guidance of Rev. Matthias J. O'Reilly who was sent by Bishop John J. Swint to establish a new parish in South Charleston. The community worshiped in a small, pre-fabricated building next to the Union Carbide plant on 2nd Ave. When this property was sold to Union Carbide, the Church building was moved ten blocks to the present location on E Street.   A rectory was built in 1949, a school and convent were built in 1954. When the school opened, there were 125 students enrolled in grades 1-6. Grades 7-8 were added later. The school was staffed by the sisters of St. Joseph. Due to declining enrollment, the school was closed in the early 1970's. In the early 1960's, after the first church building was dismantled and sold to a parish in Glenville, WV, the community worshiped in the school gymnasium. A new worship space, daily chapel and parish office, all attached to the existing school building, were completed in 1978.   Blessed Sacrament has been guided by five pastors. Rev. Matthias O'Reilly, Rev. Edward Griffin, Rev. Edward McDonald, Rev. Hiliaron Cann, Fr. Leon Alexander, and the present pastor, Rev. James E O'Connor . In July, 1999, in recognition of Blessed Sacrament's ongoing involvement with and support of local community outreach programs, the parish was awarded the Governor's Service Award by the State of WV. Blessed Sacrament Parish is home to 560 families. Planning for a long awaited, much needed Parish Hall began in January, 2000.

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