Joseph Melcher | |
|---|---|
| Diocese of Green Bay | |
 | |
| Diocese | Diocese of Green Bay |
| In office | 1868–1873 |
| Successor | Francis Xavier Krautbauer |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | March 27, 1830 by Adeodato Antonio Caleffi |
| Consecration | July 12, 1868 by Peter Richard Kenrick |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1807-03-18)March 18, 1807 |
| Died | December 20, 1873(1873-12-20) (aged 67) Green Bay, Wisconsin, US |
| Nationality | Austrian |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
Joseph Melcher (March 18, 1807 – December 20, 1873) was an Austrian-born prelate of theCatholic Church who served as the first bishop of theDiocese of Green Bay in Wisconsin from 1868 until his death in 1873.
Joseph Melcher was born March 18, 1807, inVienna in theAustrian Empire to Mathias and Theresa (née Loibl) Melcher.[1] In 1814, the family moved toModena,Italy, where Matthew Melcher had been appointed administrator of the property ofFrancis IV, Duke of Modena.[1] Joseph Melcher studied philosophy and theology in Modena, obtaining the degree ofDoctor of Divinity.
Melcher was ordained a priest in Italy on March 27, 1830, by Bishop Adeodato Antonio Caleffi.[2] After his ordination, Melcher served as a chaplain to German Catholics in Modena. in 1842 or 1843, Melcher was recruited by BishopJoseph Rosati to return with him to the United States and work in what was then theDiocese of St. Louis.[3] Melcher arrived in Missouri in 1843. As Rosati had died during the voyage, Melcher was greeted by his successor, BishopPeter Kenrick. Melcher's first assignment was as a missionary inLittle Rock,Arkansas.
After Little Rock was elevated to adiocese, Melcher was recalled to Missouri and assigned as a pastor in St. Louis County from 1844 to 1846. He accompanied Bishop Kenrick to the sixthProvincial Council of Baltimore in 1846, and regularly went to Europe to recruit priests for the diocese.[3] In 1847, Melcher was appointedvicar general of the diocese and pastor ofSt. Mary of Victories Parish, which served German Catholics in St. Louis.[1]
On July 23, 1853, Melcher was named the first bishop of the newDiocese of Quincy in Illinois and administrator of the vacantDiocese of Chicago byPope Pius IX.[3] Melcher never was installed there.
Melcher was named the first bishop of the Diocese of Green Bay on March 3, 1868.[2] He received his episcopal consecration on July 12, 1868, in St. Louis from Archbishop Kenrick, with BishopsJohn Henni andHenry Juncker serving as co-consecrators.[2]
When Melcher arrived in the new diocese, there were 16 priests and a Catholic population of 40,000 people.[4] By the end of his five years as bishop, the number of priests had increased to 56 and the Catholic population to 60,000.[3] He also began the preparatory work for the new cathedral. From 1869 to 1870, Melcher attended theFirst Vatican Council in Rome.[4]
Joseph Melcher died inGreen Bay, Wisconsin, on December 20, 1873, at age 67.[1]
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| Preceded by None | Bishop of Green Bay 1868–1873 | Succeeded by |
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