Rev. Joseph A. Weigand
Rev. Joseph A. Weigand, pastor of the Holy Name Catholic Church, of Steubenville, O., was born in Baden, Germany, June 8, 1866, and is one of a family of eleven children born to his parents who were Felix and Genevieve (Schmidt) Weigaud. The father was a farmer and was a good and worthy man. His death occurred in Germany in 1895.
In 1879 Father Weigand came to the United States and ten years later was ordained to the priesthood, by Cardinal Gibbons. In boyhood he attended the Catholic schools, later was a student in St. Vincent College, in Pennsylvania, and completed his course in theology at St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, Md. His first station was in Columbus, O., where he served as assistant priest for six months, after which he was placed in charge of the Catholic Church at Bridgeport, O., and continued there until he came to his present parish, March 21, 1904.
The Holy Name Church is one of the handsomest and most impressive religious editices in the city of Steubenville. It is the only titular Church of the Holy Name in the diocese of Columbus, also in this part of the Ohio Valley. Its graceful and majestic proportions proclaim from its silent walls and noble towers the honor and glory of Him whose Holy Name it bears. Yet, without the unselfish and generous contributions of its congregation and the zealous and entiiusiastic encouragement of its former pastor, this noble edifice could never have been erected. Going back for a number of years it is found that this congregation originally belonged to old St. Peter's, but the time came when a new church became a necessity. In 1885 a neat and commodious edifice was erected in the southern part of the city and for a number of years it sufficed but the time came when again a new church was demanded, the congregation having increased in membership, and under the prompting of their devoted pastor, gave assurance that in the course of time this new church would be worthily built. On July 20, 1898, Rev. Father James J. Hartley announced to the people his intention to commence the building of the new church, his fund for the same at that time amounting to about $2,000. On the 25th day of March, 1899, ground was broken, on June 11th the corner stone was laid with impressive services, and on October 14, 1900, the Feast of the Maternity Moeller, solemnly consecrated it. The building is 130 feet long, 56 feet wide and the main tower is 140 feet high and the smaller one 105. The windows are a revelation of artistic beauty to all who see them, as are the Stations of the Cross. The communion rail is a work of art and beauty. There are five altars in the church, of white and colored Italian marble enriched with gold mosaic work. A mere word picture can give no adequate idea of the beauty and magnificance of the whole building. The lighting is done by electricity.
From excellent authority it is learned that this unusually ornate and beautiful church was built by subscriptions and donations voluntarily offered to the pastor; that they were given almost exclusively by the members of the congregation, one that was poor in worldly goods, but rich in Christian spirit. In 1904, when Rev. Father Weigand was appointed pastor of this parish, he found many openings for still further development. To his energy and zeal the people owe the fine parsonage as well as the many church organizations which serve to encourage the Catholic spirit and bind the members closer together.
From 20th Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio, by Joseph B. Doyle. Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910