John Janssen

John Janssen (March 3, 1835 – July 2, 1913) was a German-born prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as the first bishop of the new Diocese of Belleville in Illinois from 1888 until his death in 1913.

Biography

Early life Janssen was born on March 3, 1835, in Keppeln, Rheinish in the Kingdom of Prussia (later part of Germany). He studied at the Royal Theological and Philosophical Academy in Munster, Prussia and the Collegium Augustinianum in Goch, Prussia Janssen was recruited in Munster by French Bishop Henry Juncker in 1858 to serve as a priest in the United States.

Priesthood After immigrating to the United States, Janssen was ordained to the priesthood by Juncker for the Diocese of Alton in Alton, Illinois on November 19, 1858. After his ordination, he was appointed pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Parish, a German-speaking parish in Springfield, Illinois. Jannsen also ministered to German immigrants in surrounding counties. In 1863, Janssen left his parish to became secretary to Juncker and chancellor of the diocese.

Bishop of Belleville Following the division of the Diocese of Alton into the Dioceses of Alton and Belleville, Janssen was appointed bishop of Belleville by Pope Leo XIII on February 28, 1888.

Death John Janssen died on July 2, 1913, in Belleview at age 78.