 Prior to its founding, the only other Roman Catholic high schools in the Upper Ohio Valley in the state of West Virginia were Wheeling Central Catholic High School in Ohio County and Weirton Madonna High School in Hancock County.The parishes located in Marshall County, West Virginia that supported Bishop Donahue High School both financially and spiritually were Saint John in Benwood (established 1875), Saint James in McMechen (established 1900), Saint Francis Xavier in Moundsville (established 1857), Saint Jude in Glen Dale (established 1968) and Our Lady of Peace in Mount Olivet (established 1962).At its inception in 1955, Bishop Donahue High School's feeder schools were Saint John School in Benwood, Saint Catherine School in Benwood (served by Saint John Parish), Saint James School in McMechen and Saint Francis Xavier School in Moundsville.