Diocese of Saint Joseph
The Diocese of Saint Joseph, a suffragan diocese of the Latin Rite, was a historic diocese in the United States. Established in 1868 by Pope Pius IX, it encompassed northwestern Missouri until its suppression in 1956. Its territory was merged with that of the Diocese of Kansas City to form the present Diocese of Kansas City-Saint Joseph. The see served a growing Catholic population in a frontier region during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Stored in Cargo: Diocese of Saint Joseph
| Diocese: Diocese of Saint Joseph | |
| Status: | Historic |
| Rite: | Latin |
| Type: | Suffragan diocese |
| Country: | United States |
| Region: | Missouri |
| Existence: | 1868–1956 |
| Predecessor Dioceses: | Diocese of Saint Louis |
| Successor Dioceses: | Diocese of Kansas City-Saint Joseph |
Establishment
The Diocese of Saint Joseph was erected on 3 March 1868 by Pope Pius IX to serve the expanding Catholic population in northwestern Missouri, carved from territory previously under the Diocese of Saint Louis.
History
Early Years
The diocese was established amid rapid settlement in Missouri following the Civil War. Its first bishop, John Joseph Hogan, oversaw the construction of churches and schools in rural areas.
Suppression
In 1956 the Holy See suppressed the Diocese of Saint Joseph and united its territory with the Diocese of Kansas City, creating the Diocese of Kansas City-Saint Joseph. The former cathedral in Saint Joseph became a co-cathedral in the new diocese.
Geography
The diocese covered the northwestern counties of Missouri, including Buchanan, Andrew, Nodaway, Atchison, Holt, Worth, Gentry, DeKalb, Clinton, and Platte counties.
Mother Church
The former Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Saint Joseph, Missouri, served as the mother church until suppression. The building remains in use as a co-cathedral.
Leadership
Past Bishops
| Name | Tenure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| John Joseph Hogan | 1868–1880 | First Bishop of Saint Joseph; transferred to Diocese of Kansas City. |
| John Joseph Hogan | 1880–1913 | Returned as Bishop of Saint Joseph after merger of sees. |
| Francis Gilfillan | 1913–1933 | Oversaw expansion of parishes and schools. |
| Charles Hubert LeBlond | 1933–1956 | Last Bishop of Saint Joseph; see suppressed in 1956. |
According to diocesan records and Vatican documents.
Titular Status
The former see of Saint Joseph has not been erected as a titular see.
Fun facts
Below are some fun facts about the Diocese of Saint Joseph:
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