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The next meeting looking in this direction was held in Clarksburg, August 24, 1865, but as there was no guarantee that a new Diocese could be supported, the effort failed. The subject was continually discussed during the next few years, and on November 15, 1872, at a Convocation held in Charleston, Major A. T. Laidley was appointed to open correspondence with the Vestries and to report at a Convocation to be held in Volcano, April 23, 1873. The response from the Vestries was weak, and although the meeting was held, nothing could be done. On January 19, 1874, at a meeting of the Vestry of St. John's, Charleston, another effort was made, but the effort failed possibly chiefly on account of the opposition in the eastern counties of the state. But in the autumn of 1875, Bishop Johns expressed himself in favor of the division, provided the support of the Diocese could be secured, and April 19, 1876, at the twentieth annual session of the Convocation of West Virginia, held in Wellsburg, steps were taken to bring the matter formally before the annual Council of Virginia, meeting in Alexandria in May. That Council recommended the calling of a conference of the Clergy and Laity of the Parishes and Congregations within the limits of West Virginia, to furnish such information as might enable the Council at its next session to act intelligently on the subject. This Conference met in Parkersburg on April 18, 1877. Two sessions were held. They were well-attended and everyone left with a good feeling about the proposal. The Conference adjourned, to meet in Staunton on May 16. The result was the request to set apart West Virginia as a separate Diocese. The request was approved by a large majority of those voting. Bishop Whittle having given his consent, the matter was brought up before the General Convention, meeting in Boston in October, and ratified. Thus the Diocese of Virginia was divided, and the new Diocese of West Virginia created. The Primary Convention was held in Charleston, December 5, 1877, resulting in the election as Bishop of the Rev. J. H. Eccleston, D.D. But The Rev. Mr. Eccleston declined. At the first annual Council held in Charlestown, February 27, 1878, the Rev. George W. Peterkin, of Memorial Church, Baltimore, was elected. He was consecrated in St. Matthew's Church, Wheeling, on Ascension Day, May 30, 1878, by the Bishop of Ohio, assisted by the Bishops of Pittsburgh and Virginia, the Assistant Bishop of Kentucky and the Bishop of Southern Ohio. Contrary to this statement is the online historical record of Zion Episcopal Church in Charles Town, which says. "Bishop Peterkin was consecrated in Zion in 1878. His successor, Bishop Gravatt, was the Rector of Zion at the time of his election to Bishop in 1898." The Charles Town record also states that, "Benjamin Bosworth Smith, Rector 1821-1823, was the first Bishop of Kentucky. Bishops of the Diocese of West Virginia
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A division of the Diocese of Virginia
was considered as early as 1821, but the first practical move made in the
matter was at a Convocation of the Clergy in Western Virginia, some seven in
all, held in Charleston, in 1851. The Rev. James D. McCabe, of Wheeling, had
prepared a memorial looking to a division and it was presented, but Bishop
Meade, who was present, opposed the move, and the paper was withdrawn.
