Alphonse John Smith
Encyclopedia
Alphonse John Smith, was a 20th century bishop
in the Catholic Church
in the United States
. He served as Bishop of the Diocese of Nashville
from 1923-35.
, Smith was ordained a Catholic priest
on April 18, 1908 for the Diocese of Indianapolis
. On December 23, 1923 Pope
Pius XI named him to be the sixth Bishop of Nashville. He was consecrated a bishop on March 25, 1924 in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Indianapolis
by Bishop Joseph Chartrand
. The co-consecrators were Bishops Emmanuel Boleslaus Ledvina
of Corpus Christi
and Samuel Stritch, of Toledo
.
When Bishop Smith came to the diocese he found there were only a few native priests from the diocese itself and ten seminarians. He worked to change the situation and within two years the number of seminarians from Tennessee
had grown to 60, and 26 priests were ordained for the diocese during his episcopate. The monastery of the Poor Clares was established in Memphis
. Several new parishes and schools were also established. Bishop Smith served the diocese for eleven years until his death in 1935. He is buried in Calvary Cemetery in Nashville.
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
in the Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. He served as Bishop of the Diocese of Nashville
Roman Catholic Diocese of Nashville
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Nashville is a Roman Catholic diocese in Tennessee. It was founded on July 28, 1837 by the Dominican Bishop Richard Pius Miles. The Cathedral Church of the Incarnation is the seat of the Bishops of Nashville....
from 1923-35.
Biography
Born in Madison, IndianaMadison, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 12,004 people, 5,092 households, and 3,085 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,402.9 people per square mile . There were 5,597 housing units at an average density of 654.1 per square mile...
, Smith was ordained a Catholic priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
on April 18, 1908 for the Diocese of Indianapolis
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis is a division of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. It was originally erected as the Diocese of Vincennes, Indiana on May 6, 1834, and encompassed all of Indiana as well as the eastern third of Illinois...
. On December 23, 1923 Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
Pius XI named him to be the sixth Bishop of Nashville. He was consecrated a bishop on March 25, 1924 in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
by Bishop Joseph Chartrand
Joseph Chartrand
Joseph Chartrand was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Indianapolis from 1918 until his death.-Biography:...
. The co-consecrators were Bishops Emmanuel Boleslaus Ledvina
Emmanuel Boleslaus Ledvina
Emmanuel Boleslaus Ledvina was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Corpus Christi from 1921 to 1949.-Biography:...
of Corpus Christi
Roman Catholic Diocese of Corpus Christi
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Corpus Christi is a Roman Catholic diocese in Texas. It was founded on March 23, 1912.The past bishops of the diocese are:*Dominic Manucy *Peter Verdaguer y Prat...
and Samuel Stritch, of Toledo
Roman Catholic Diocese of Toledo
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Toledo is a Roman Catholic diocese covering nineteen counties in Ohio. It was established April 15, 1910. Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral is the mother church of the diocese.-Bishops:...
.
When Bishop Smith came to the diocese he found there were only a few native priests from the diocese itself and ten seminarians. He worked to change the situation and within two years the number of seminarians from Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
had grown to 60, and 26 priests were ordained for the diocese during his episcopate. The monastery of the Poor Clares was established in Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
. Several new parishes and schools were also established. Bishop Smith served the diocese for eleven years until his death in 1935. He is buried in Calvary Cemetery in Nashville.