John Anthony Forest

John Anthony Forest (December 26, 1838 – March 11, 1911) was a French-born clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of San Antonio from 1895 until his death in 1911.

Biography John Forest was born in Saint-Martin-la-Sauveté, Loire, to Jean and Marie (née Thollet) Forest. He studied at the minor seminaries in Saint-Jodard and L'Argentière before entering Grand Seminary of St. Irénée in Lyons. Upon his arrival in Texas, he was stationed at St. Mary's Church near Smothers Creek in Lavaca County. He was afterward named pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Hallettsville, where he remained for thirty-two years.

On August 27, 1895, Forest was appointed the third Bishop of San Antonio by Pope Leo XIII. He received his episcopal consecration on the following October 28 from Archbishop Francis Janssens, with Bishops Edward Fitzgerald and Nicolaus Aloysius Gallagher serving as co-consecrators, in the Cathedral of San Fernando. During his tenure, he established several new churches, educational facilities, and charitable institutions. Due to his declining health, he received John William Shaw from the Diocese of Mobile as a coadjutor bishop in 1910. Shortly after Shaw's arrival, he retired to Santa Rosa Infirmary. He later died at age 72, and was buried in San Fernando Cemetery.