The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-01-10
Relisious Statistics OF West Vir-
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The following religious statistics are
taken from the census OF 1870. They
may not be entirely correct, but they
are more nearly 80 than any other
available figures.
The total number Of church orgsni-
cations in West Virginia is 1929. They
are divided as follows among the demon.
nations. In this summary review de-
uominalional divisions are overlooked {:
Methodist, S79; Baptist, 1876; United
Brethren, "a Presbyterian, SO; Roman
Catholic. 40; Christian, Sc; Lutheran,
%; Episcopal, 81. The remainder is
divided among a number of denomiua-
tons. The Evangelical Association
have 2 organizations; Jews, l; German
Reform, 9; Second Advent, ); Univer-
salists, 4; unknown, IL. Those which
are reported as having none, are the
Congregational, (they now have one at
Huntington), Friends, Moravian, Nor
mon, Swedenborgiau. Dutch Reform,
Shaker, Spirituslists and Unitarian
The number Of edifices is lois. The
sittipgs are put down as follows: Meth.
odist, l52, 1865; Baptist, 62.S50; Pres
byteriau 81, 800; Roman Catholics, l6. :
500; United Brethren. 1880; Episco.
pal, 1855; Lutheran, 1900; Christian,
400. Total sittings, 397,3l5. The en-.
tire population of the State ia given as
442,0l4. According to these figures
there are l44,699 persons, just about
one third OF the population, for whom
there are no sittipgs in the churches.
But if young children, the sick and those
who are unable to attend are deducted,
this proportion may be decreased at
least one-half. This still would leave q
sixth Of the people who are unprovlded
for, upon the supposition that all who
are able would 60 to church every Sab
bath. Now, il the fact is taken into
consideration that very large number
OF these churches are in the country land
only have services once in two or three
weeks and then in many cases are not
half FLIED, it becomes apparent that
perhaps not more than q half of oul
people, IL indeed 90 many, regularly at
tend church. There 10 no single Sab
bath on which that number are in thell
places for the worship Of God. The in
ference is not that our people are hea.
then, but that there is still
plenty of room for oil the denomins-
lions who are engaged in this field.
The statistics for the County OF Ohio
give the total OF church organizations
a. Sc. Oftbese, l6 are Methodist,
Presby terians, 8 Baptist, 3 Lutheran
| 3 Roman stholic, 2 Episcopal, 2 Chris
tisn. These figures seem to overlook
two or three of the smaller denomina'
tons. ~ for example, the Jews.
The whole number of edi6ces is giver
az SO. The sittings are put at 1921
divided as follows, Methodist. $500
Presbyterian, 1000; Roman Catholic
5000; Lutheran, 1900; Episcopal, L.
| 100: Christian, 800; Baptist, $50.
The entire population OF Ohio county
at the time OF the census was q. 1881: II
appears, therefore. that in our churches
there ie no room, il all attend, Tor ~
OsI that is for three-sevenths OF oul
population. Now after the proper de,
auctions are made for children and
others,th number really unprovided to1
still amounts to several thousand. Blu
ali our churches are never full on TIT
same day. What multitudes therefor
must almost or entirely neglect public
Worship. It's . reflection which Shout;
srouse the efforts and prayers OF 81
Christians.
It also appears that as 10 sccomnno
datious for worship. the rural district
are better of than the city OF wheeling
We are nearer to state Of heathenisn
than are the people Of the interior.
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