Clarksburg’s Greek Heritage

Synopsis on the History of Greek Immigration in Clarksburg, West Virginia
Source: The West Virginia Encyclopedia, sourced from Dorothy Davis

Greeks entered West Virginia in significant numbers around the turn of the 20th century. The Turkish government had begun drafting Greeks living in areas under Turkish control into the Turkish Army to fight against their Greek countrymen. Many fled overseas, just at the time that West Virginia faced a labor shortage due to increased mining and manufacturing. The first Greeks to arrive were generally single men or married men who came alone. After getting settled, they would send for their families.

For example, in the first decade of the 20th century, around 300 Greeks settled in Clarksburg, in Harrison County, to work at the Phillips Sheet and Tin Plate Company, known as the ‘‘Tin-plate’’ factory, owned by Weirton Steel. Greeks also worked in the iron and steel centers of Wheeling and Weirton and in many coal mines around the state. The 1910 census lists 787 foreign-born Greeks living in West Virginia. The 1920 census shows that the number of Greeks had grown to 3,186, with the majority in Harrison, Hancock, and Ohio counties. Though initially working in West Virginia’s coal and manufacturing industries, many Greeks gravitated toward retail, such as restaurants, theaters, coffeehouses, and grocery stores. These were independent business people, doing the type of work they were accustomed to in Greece.

Greeks in West Virginia, as elsewhere, formed kinotitoes, governing bodies of local Greek communities, which would establish Orthodox churches and schools. Following a Greek custom, many immigrants opened kaffeneions (coffeehouses) in their homes, perpetuating Greek customs here. Greek holidays (particularly March 28, Greek Independence Day) were often celebrated with parades with many people dressed in the traditional clothing of Greece. After World War I, immigration from Europe declined and Greeks, as with many other ethnic groups, began to move away from their close-knit communities and into other West Virginia towns, working in diverse professions.

Episode Notes

The St. Spyridon Church was built by the Greek immigrant population in Clarksburg in 1918 after the initial Greek immigrants had settled in the Summit Park area of Clarksburg. Hand painted icons depicting saints still adorn the interior of the church today. These priceless works of art were completed by the earliest immigrants to Clarksburg and have undergone complete restoration.

Saint Spyridon was known in the 200AD era as a wonder working and miracle performing patron saint. It is said that his articles of clothing still provide miraculous power to those who are in need. Read more about St. Spyridon here.

Greek Food Festival
The dedicated parishioners at St. Spyridon Green Orthodox church work to provide a unique food experience to the Clarksburg, West Virginia area every year with the Greek Food Festival. The 2024 festival will be held Friday, September 13, 2024 at 11 am at the St. Spyridon event center. The festival will feature gyro and souvlaki (kabob) entrees, music, dine-in options, and an opportunity to learn about Orthodoxy.

2024 Greek Food Festival in Clarksburg, West Virginia

Credits

Host, Research, & Scheduling: Martha Jett
Production & Marketing: Beth Gain and Clarksburg History Museum volunteers
Mixing & Editing: J. Joseph
Music: West Virginia Mountain Melody performed by Steve Peters

Cover Artwork: Original photo of carving from St. Spyridon Church depicting flag of Greece and the former flag of the King of Greece

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