Diocese seeks parishioners’ input on new Benwood church
BENWOOD, W.Va. (AP) – The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston is asking parishioners for input on replacing a church that was destroyed by a fire.
Diocese spokesman Bryan Minor tells The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register plans for rebuilding St. John Church in Benwood are in the “parish consultation phase.”
A fire March 30 destroyed the 125-year-old church and an adjacent school. The diocese plans to build a new church at the site.
The church’s pastor, Father Bekeh Utietiang, said parishioners provided ideas for the architect to consider. They also would like some items saved from the old church to be incorporated into the new building, as circumstances allow.