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Construction For New St. John Catholic Church Begins in Benwood

Photo by Drew Parker St. John Catholic Church pastor, the Rev. Bekeh Utietiang, left, church secretary Judy Forster, center, and parish council chair Theresa Gretchen attend a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday for a new church building to replace the one destroyed by fire last year.

 

The Benwood community celebrated a new beginning Tuesday at the site of a tragedy, as ground was broken for the the new St. John Catholic Church.

The Most Rev. Michael Bransfield, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, led a blessing prior to the groundbreaking ceremony for the new church that will be built at the site of the fire that consumed the original St. John church building on March 30, 2015.

Bransfield said the Benwood community showed a great level of hope after the fire.

“The faith and resolve this community has shown from that evening up to this wonderful day has inspired me,” Bransfield said. “You can see on the picture boards today the most recent drawings from our architect. This beautiful church will hold approximately 160 people, and I look forward to gathering here again in the near future (when) we dedicate your new worship space.”

According to Ken Staley, supervisor of buildings and properties for the diocese, the nearly $3.5 million project will combine state-of-the art architecture with fixtures from the original church, which was more than 140 years old.

These features include stained glass windows and multiple salvaged religious items. Staley added Trushel Construction will be directing the project and hopes to finish by Easter 2017.

Victor Greco of the Mills Group created the building’s architectural design. The project also will include renovating the former SS. James and John School annex into a social hall, where the famous St. John pierogi machine will once again be in use during Lenten seasons to come.

“The goal is for them to have Easter services in the church this coming year, barring any construction issues,” Staley said. “It’s modern architecture with a lot of the old coming back. It will have a steel roof to honor the ‘Steel City’ mindset and the original windows will be included.”

The Rev. Bekeh Utietiang, pastor of St. John and St. James parishes, said the ceremony restored hope to the Benwood community.

“The significance for me is a new beginning. After the fire, it seemed like our faith was shattered,” Utietiang said. “When you worship at a place every day of your life, to see it burn down was earth-shattering. Now, we can see everything coming together. The groundbreaking is the beginning of the fulfillment of our hope.”

Benwood Mayor Ed Kuca said the church will once again be the center of the small community.

“For the city of Benwood, this is truly a blessing,” Kuca said. “This is going to be one of the most modern churches in the state of West Virginia and we are so excited for this special day and for our St. John’s parishioners.”

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