"The land for Mt. Calvary Cemetery was purchased for a Catholic cemetery under the guidance of Bishop Whelan in May 1872.  The original 32 acres of land had been part of the Edward Larking and S.H.B. Carter estate.  After the bishop's  death a few years later a Victorian Gothic chapel was erected in his memory.  The cornerstone was laid in 1876 and the chapel was completed in 1879.  Behind the chapel in a hemispherical plot of ground set aside for the interment of deceased Wheeling bishops and priests.  To the north is a plot set aside for any nuns who die in the community.

"The Victorian Gothic chapel was constructed of sandstone with one story and two front bays.  The entrance is from the north side of the bell tower.  The tower has lancet openings and a tall sloping steeple. The nave of the church is gabled with a large pointed stained glass window divided with lancet and quatrefoil designs.   In the gable end is a round medallion and a cross finial is at the peak.  On the southwest corner of the chapel is a pinnacle with a modest flying buttress on the corner pilaster."