Joseph H. Albers, D.D.^[1], (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 bishops 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.

He was ordained a priest in 1916. Father Albers' first appointment was in Cincinnati, Ohio as an assistant at St. Mary's.^[2]

In World War I, Father Albers was commissioned as an armed forces chaplain for the armed forces on June 1, 1918. He served in the infantry 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 the predecessor to it) 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.

In August 1954—his 25th anniversary of consecration as a bishop—he was appointed as Assistant at the Pontifical Throne.^[3]

During his tenure as Lansing's bishop, Right Reverend Albers lived in Meadowvue, the former residence of Irving Jacob Reuter and Janet Reuter in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. In 1991 it was listed in the state List of Registered Historic Places in Michigan. Registered Site L1824, erected 1992 at 677 S. Michigan Road, Eaton Rapids, Michigan.^[4]

On October 7, 1964, the Most Reverend Bishop Alexander M. Zaleski succeeded him as Bishop.^[5]

[edit] Legacy

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.^[6]

The Joseph H. Albers Trust Fund has been established to help seminarians pay their expenses.^[7]

[edit] External links

• State of Michigan statement of historical significance, Meadowvue Estate, "Reuter, Irving and Janet, House 728 South Michigan Road, Eaton Rapids - Eaton County."
• 1930 Photo of Right Reverend Joseph H. Albers, D.D. U.S. GenWeb project.

[edit] References