Joseph H. Albers
Encyclopedia
Joseph H. Albers D.D. (March 18, 1891–December 1, 1965) was born in Cincinnati, Ohio
. In 1929 at the age of 38, he was consecrated Auxiliary Bishop
of Cincinnati, making him one of the youngest Roman Catholic bishop
s in the country. He continued in this role until he was assigned to establish the new Diocese of Lansing, Michigan
in 1937, and was its first bishop (1937–1964). See generally, Catholic Church hierarchy
.
He was ordained a priest
in 1916. Father
Albers' first appointment was in Cincinnati, Ohio
as an assistant pastor
at Old St. Mary's Church, School and Rectory.
In World War I
, Father Albers was commissioned as an armed forces chaplain
on June 1, 1918. He served in the infantry
while overseas, and saw duty in several battles including the Argonne Forest
, Chateau Thierry
and St. Mihiel
. Chaplain
Albers was wounded three times and gassed. He was decorated and received the Silver Star
(presumably the Citation Star
which was its predecessor) for bravery and valor. He was discharged from military service in 1919.
He was assigned to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, filling various roles, and in 1925 was made Chancellor
of the Archdiocese. In 1926 he became a Monsignor
. Then he studied canon law
at Appollonaire University in Rome for two years, becoming a Doctor of Canon Law
. Upon return to the United States, Monsignor Albers resumed his post as Chancellor of the Archdiocese.
Father Albers was appointed Titular Bishop
of Lunda and ordained 27 December 1929. In 1937 he became the first bishop
of Lansing, and was consecrated on August 4, 1937.>
In January 1938, the rectory of St. Mary Cathedral had a serious fire. Bishop Albers, still suffering from lungs weakened from being gassed in World War I, collapsed and local firemen rescued him.
In August 1954—his 25th anniversary of consecration
as a bishop—he was appointed as Assistant at the Pontifical Throne
.
During his tenure as Lansing
's bishop, from 1940 to 1962 Bishop Albers maintained Meadowvue in Eaton Rapids, Michigan
, as his diocesal residential seat. The location was owned by the diocese at the time. Meadowvue was also the former residence of Irving Jacob Reuter
and Janet Reuter. Meadowvue has since (1991) was declared a Michigan State Historical Object
(Registered Site L1824, erected 1992 at 677 S. Michigan Road, Eaton Rapids, Michigan.)
Albers' episcopacy was characterized by a building boom. During his reign, the diocese built 38 parishes, 42 elementary schools and two high schools. This earned Bishop Albers the appellation, “The builder.” In addition, on August 1, 1954, the diocesal newsletter Catholic Weekly, Lansing began publication. Bishop Albers had been instrumental in the startup.
On October 11, 1962, Albers was present at the opening session of the Second Vatican Council
. Also present were two men destined to wear this mitre
, the second and fourth bishops of Lansing, respectively: Alexander M. Zaleski
, in his capacity as a vicar general
of the archdiocese of Detroit; and Carl Frederick Mengeling
, serving as a page
.
Bishop Albers enjoyed a special devotion to St. Joseph; one of the new parishes consecrated during his episcopate was named for his patron saint.
On October 7, 1964, suffering from declining health, Bishop Albers retired from his Lansing episcopal duties. He was succeeded by the Most Reverend
Bishop Alexander M. Zaleski, who as noted above had been the vicar general of the Detroit archdiocese. Bishop Albers died just over a year later, on December 1, 1965.
His remains are interred at St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery in Lansing, Michigan. Some of his correspondence is at the University of Notre Dame
archives.
The Knights of Columbus
has a chapter named for him, the Bishop Joseph H. Albers Council 4090, P.O. Box 22, Davison, MI 48323, (810) 653-4090. The Joseph H. Albers Trust Fund has been established to help seminarians pay their expenses.
St. Joseph's Catholic Church was established in Battle Creek, Michigan
in 1941. In order to pay for the church, part of the grounds was subdivided and sold. It is named "“Bishop Albers Subdivision."
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
. In 1929 at the age of 38, he was consecrated Auxiliary Bishop
Auxiliary bishop
An auxiliary bishop, in the Roman Catholic Church, is an additional bishop assigned to a diocese because the diocesan bishop is unable to perform his functions, the diocese is so extensive that it requires more than one bishop to administer, or the diocese is attached to a royal or imperial office...
of Cincinnati, making him one of the youngest Roman Catholic bishop
Bishop (Catholic Church)
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
s in the country. He continued in this role until he was assigned to establish the new Diocese of Lansing, Michigan
Roman Catholic Diocese of Lansing
The Catholic Diocese of Lansing is located in Lansing, Michigan. It encompasses an area of 6,218 square miles including the counties of Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Shiawassee and Washtenaw...
in 1937, and was its first bishop (1937–1964). See generally, Catholic Church hierarchy
Catholic Church hierarchy
The term Hierarchy in the Catholic Church has a variety of related usages. Literally, "holy government", the term is employed in different instances. There is a Hierarchy of Truths, which refers to the levels of solemnity of the official teaching of the faith...
.
Biography
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...
in 1916. Father
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
Albers' first appointment was in Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
as an assistant pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
at Old St. Mary's Church, School and Rectory.
In World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, Father Albers was commissioned as an armed forces chaplain
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
on June 1, 1918. He served in the infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
while overseas, and saw duty in several battles including the Argonne Forest
Meuse-Argonne Offensive
The Meuse-Argonne Offensive, or Maas-Argonne Offensive, also called the Battle of the Argonne Forest, was a part of the final Allied offensive of World War I that stretched along the entire western front.-Overview:...
, Chateau Thierry
Battle of Château-Thierry (1918)
The Battle of Château-Thierry was fought on 18 July 1918 and was one of the first actions of the American Expeditionary Force under General John J. "Black Jack" Pershing...
and St. Mihiel
Battle of Saint-Mihiel
The Battle of Saint-Mihiel was a World War I battle fought between September 12–15, 1918, involving the American Expeditionary Force and 48,000 French troops under the command of U.S. general John J. Pershing against German positions...
. Chaplain
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
Albers was wounded three times and gassed. He was decorated and received the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
(presumably the Citation Star
Citation Star
The Citation Star was an award of the United States Army which was first established by the United States Congress on July 9, 1918. The Citation Star was a silver star device pinned to the World War I Victory Medal to denote those who had been cited for extreme heroism or valor...
which was its predecessor) for bravery and valor. He was discharged from military service in 1919.
He was assigned to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, filling various roles, and in 1925 was made Chancellor
Chancellor
Chancellor is the title of various official positions in the governments of many nations. The original chancellors were the Cancellarii of Roman courts of justice—ushers who sat at the cancelli or lattice work screens of a basilica or law court, which separated the judge and counsel from the...
of the Archdiocese. In 1926 he became a Monsignor
Monsignor
Monsignor, pl. monsignori, is the form of address for those members of the clergy of the Catholic Church holding certain ecclesiastical honorific titles. Monsignor is the apocopic form of the Italian monsignore, from the French mon seigneur, meaning "my lord"...
. Then he studied canon law
Canon law
Canon law is the body of laws & regulations made or adopted by ecclesiastical authority, for the government of the Christian organization and its members. It is the internal ecclesiastical law governing the Catholic Church , the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches, and the Anglican Communion of...
at Appollonaire University in Rome for two years, becoming a Doctor of Canon Law
Doctor of Canon Law
Doctor of Canon Law is the doctoral-level terminal degree in the studies of canon law of the Roman Catholic Church.It may also be abbreviated I.C.D. or dr.iur.can. , ICDr., D.C.L., D.Cnl., D.D.C., or D.Can.L. . Doctor of both laws are J.U.D...
. Upon return to the United States, Monsignor Albers resumed his post as Chancellor of the Archdiocese.
Father Albers was appointed Titular Bishop
Titular bishop
A titular bishop in various churches is a bishop who is not in charge of a diocese.By definition a bishop is an "overseer" of a community of the faithful, so when a priest is ordained a bishop the tradition of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches is that he be ordained for a specific place...
of Lunda and ordained 27 December 1929. In 1937 he became the first bishop
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...
of Lansing, and was consecrated on August 4, 1937.>
In January 1938, the rectory of St. Mary Cathedral had a serious fire. Bishop Albers, still suffering from lungs weakened from being gassed in World War I, collapsed and local firemen rescued him.
In August 1954—his 25th anniversary of consecration
Consecration
Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service, usually religious. The word "consecration" literally means "to associate with the sacred". Persons, places, or things can be consecrated, and the term is used in various ways by different groups...
as a bishop—he was appointed as Assistant at the Pontifical Throne
Assistant at the Pontifical Throne
Assistant at the Pontifical Throne is an ecclesiastical title in the Roman Catholic Church. It signifies a prelate belonging to the papal chapel, who stands near the throne of the Pope at solemn functions....
.
During his tenure as Lansing
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan...
's bishop, from 1940 to 1962 Bishop Albers maintained Meadowvue in Eaton Rapids, Michigan
Eaton Rapids, Michigan
Eaton Rapids is a city in Eaton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 5,214 at the 2010 census.The city is located in the south of Eaton Rapids Township, on the boundary with Hamlin Township, though it is politically independent of both townships...
, as his diocesal residential seat. The location was owned by the diocese at the time. Meadowvue was also the former residence of Irving Jacob Reuter
Irving Jacob Reuter
Irving Jacob Reuter was an automotive leader in the early 1900s. In 1925 he was named general manager and president of Oldsmobile after rising through the ranks at Remy Electric and then General Motors after the two companies merged in 1918....
and Janet Reuter. Meadowvue has since (1991) was declared a Michigan State Historical Object
Michigan State Historic Preservation Office
The Michigan State Historic Preservation Office is in charge of the listing of historic resources of local, state, and national interest in the U.S. state of Michigan, including buildings, lighthouses, bridges, historic districts, and many other properties deemed important to the history of Michigan...
(Registered Site L1824, erected 1992 at 677 S. Michigan Road, Eaton Rapids, Michigan.)
Albers' episcopacy was characterized by a building boom. During his reign, the diocese built 38 parishes, 42 elementary schools and two high schools. This earned Bishop Albers the appellation, “The builder.” In addition, on August 1, 1954, the diocesal newsletter Catholic Weekly, Lansing began publication. Bishop Albers had been instrumental in the startup.
On October 11, 1962, Albers was present at the opening session of the Second Vatican Council
Second Vatican Council
The Second Vatican Council addressed relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the modern world. It was the twenty-first Ecumenical Council of the Catholic Church and the second to be held at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. It opened under Pope John XXIII on 11 October 1962 and closed...
. Also present were two men destined to wear this mitre
Mitre
The mitre , also spelled miter, is a type of headwear now known as the traditional, ceremonial head-dress of bishops and certain abbots in the Roman Catholic Church, as well as in the Anglican Communion, some Lutheran churches, and also bishops and certain other clergy in the Eastern Orthodox...
, the second and fourth bishops of Lansing, respectively: Alexander M. Zaleski
Alexander M. Zaleski
Alexander Mieceslaus Zaleski was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Lansing from 1965 until his death in 1975.-Biography:...
, in his capacity as a vicar general
Vicar general
A vicar general is the principal deputy of the bishop of a diocese for the exercise of administrative authority. As vicar of the bishop, the vicar general exercises the bishop's ordinary executive power over the entire diocese and, thus, is the highest official in a diocese or other particular...
of the archdiocese of Detroit; and Carl Frederick Mengeling
Carl Frederick Mengeling
Carl Frederick Mengeling is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Lansing from 1995 to 2008.-Biography:...
, serving as a page
Page (servant)
A page or page boy is a traditionally young male servant, a messenger at the service of a nobleman or royal.-The medieval page:In medieval times, a page was an attendant to a knight; an apprentice squire...
.
Bishop Albers enjoyed a special devotion to St. Joseph; one of the new parishes consecrated during his episcopate was named for his patron saint.
Legacy
Joseph Albers was a bishop for 35.9 years, and a priest for 49.5 years.On October 7, 1964, suffering from declining health, Bishop Albers retired from his Lansing episcopal duties. He was succeeded by the Most Reverend
Most Reverend
The Most Reverend is a style applied to certain religious figures.*In the Roman Catholic Church , all bishops are styled "The Most Reverend", as well as monsignors of the rank of protonotary apostolic de numero.*In the Roman Catholic Church , archbishops are styled "The...
Bishop Alexander M. Zaleski, who as noted above had been the vicar general of the Detroit archdiocese. Bishop Albers died just over a year later, on December 1, 1965.
His remains are interred at St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery in Lansing, Michigan. Some of his correspondence is at the University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
archives.
The Knights of Columbus
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in the United States in 1882, it is named in honor of Christopher Columbus....
has a chapter named for him, the Bishop Joseph H. Albers Council 4090, P.O. Box 22, Davison, MI 48323, (810) 653-4090. The Joseph H. Albers Trust Fund has been established to help seminarians pay their expenses.
St. Joseph's Catholic Church was established in Battle Creek, Michigan
Battle Creek, Michigan
Battle Creek is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan, in northwest Calhoun County, at the confluence of the Kalamazoo and Battle Creek Rivers. It is the principal city of the Battle Creek, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area , which encompasses all of Calhoun county...
in 1941. In order to pay for the church, part of the grounds was subdivided and sold. It is named "“Bishop Albers Subdivision."
External links
- Catholic Telegraph Photography Project, photograph -- a scene from the life of Joseph H. Albers, 1934. Historical photos from the files of The Catholic Telegraph, the official newspaper of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.
- State of Michigan statement of historical significance, Meadowvue Estate, Reuter, Irving and Janet, House 728 South Michigan Road, Eaton Rapids - Eaton County.