WHEELING, W.Va. -- The chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives is coming to Wheeling.

Father Patrick Conroy will speak at Wheeling Jesuit University on Nov. 5 about how he landed that job, his experiences there, and his goals in serving legislators, their staffs and their families.

American lawmakers have had a chaplain since 1774, when the Continental Congress chose an Episcopalian priest to open its sessions with prayer.

The House chaplains also open each session of Congress, schedule guests and arrange funerals for House members and staff.

Conroy is the first Jesuit to hold the post.

He grew up in Arlington, Va., but attended high school in Washington state. He has degrees from five colleges and universities.