Joseph Alphonse McNicholas

Joseph Alphonse McNicholas (January 13, 1923 – April 17, 1983) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois from 1975 to until his death in 1983. He previously served as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of St. Louis in Missouri from 1969 to 1975.

Biography

Early life Joseph McNicholas was born on January 23, 1923, in St. Louis, Missouri. He attended Cardinal Glennon College in Shrewsbury, Missouri, and Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis. He was ordained to the priesthood in St. Louis on June 7, 1949 by Cardinal Joseph Elmer Ritter. After his ordination, McNicholas' first assignment was as an assistant pastor at the Old Cathedral of St. Louis Parish. He was transferred in 1955 to Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish in St. Louis as a part time associate pastor while studying for his Master of Social Work degree at St. Louis University.

Auxiliary Bishop of St. Louis On January 31, 1969, McNicholas was appointed as an auxiliary bishop of St. Louis and titular bishop of Scala by Pope Paul VI. He received his episcopal consecration at the Cathedral of Saint Louis in St. Louis on March 25, 1969, from Cardinal John Carberry, with Archbishop Leo Byrne and Bishop Charles Helmsing serving as co-consecrators.

Bishop of Springfield in Illinois Pope Paul VI appointed McNicholas as bishop of Springfield in Illinois on July 22, 1975.