| The Most Reverend Michael Heiss |
|
|---|---|
| Archbishop of Milwaukee | |
| See | Milwaukee |
| Enthroned | September 7, 1881 |
| Reign ended | March 26, 1890 (8 years, 200 days) |
| Predecessor | John Henni |
| Successor | Frederick Katzer |
| Other posts | Bishop of La Crosse (1868-80) Coadjutor Archbishop of Milwaukee (1880-81) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | October 18, 1840 |
| Consecration | September 6, 1868 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 12, 1818 Pfahldorf, Bavaria, Germany |
| Died | March 26, 1890 (aged 71) La Crosse, Wisconsin |
| Denomination | Catholic Church |
Michael Heiss (April 12, 1818—March 26, 1890) was a German-born prelate of the Catholic Church. He served as the first Bishop of La Crosse (1868-80) and the second Archbishop of Milwaukee (1881-90).
Michael Heiss was born in Pfahldorf, Bavaria, to Joseph and Gertrude (née Frei) Heiss.[1] He received Confirmation when he was only two years old because his parents feared they would be without a bishop for a prolonged period of time due to tension between church and state.[1] He entered a Latin school at age 9, and later graduated from the gymnasium of Neuburg in 1835.[2]
Heiss then entered the University of Munich, where he originally studied law but switched to theology after deciding to join the priesthood.[3] He completed his studies at the ecclesiastical seminary in Eichstätt.[2] He was ordained a priest by Bishop Karl-August von Reisach on October 18, 1840.[4] At age 22, he was below the age requirement for ordination but was granted a dispensation by Pope Gregory XVI.[1]
Heiss served as a curate in Raitenbuch and afterwards in Pleinfeld.[3] In December 1842, he immigrated to the United States, where he became pastor of Mother of God Church in Covington, Kentucky.[5] He remained in Covington until 1844, when he was made secretary to John Henni, the newly-appointed Archbishop of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[6] He erected St. Mary's Church in Milwaukee, and served as its first pastor with his charge extending over an area of 52 square miles.[5] In 1856, he was named the first rector of St. Francis Seminary, serving for 12 years.[2]
Heiss was appointed Bishop of the Diocese of La Crosse on March 3, 1868, and was ordained a bishop on September 6, 1868. On March 14, 1880, Bishop Heiss was appointed coadjutor Archbishop of Milwaukee. On September 7, 1881, he succeeded Archbishop John Henni on his death as Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. He was an opponent of the Americanist heresy. Archbishop Heiss died in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and was buried in St. Francis, Wisconsin, a suburb of Milwaukee, in a chapel at St. Francis Seminary.
| Preceded by None |
Bishop of La Crosse 1868–1880 |
Succeeded by Kilan Caspar Flasch |