Henry J. Althoff

Henry J. Althoff (August 28, 1873 – July 3, 1947) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Belleville in Illinois from 1914 until his death in 1947.

The Most Reverend Henry J. Althoff
Bishop of Belleville
See	Diocese of Belleville
In office	February 24, 1914 - July 3, 1947
Predecessor	John Janssen
Successor	Albert Rudolph Zuroweste
Orders
Ordination	July 26, 1902 by Simon Aichner
Consecration	February 24, 1914 by James Edward Quigley
Personal details
Born	(1873-08-28)August 28, 1873 Aviston, Illinois, US
Died	July 3, 1947(1947-07-03) (aged 73)
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Parents	Frederick and Theresa (née Poelker) Althoff
Education	St. Joseph College St. Francis Solanus College University of Innsbruck

Biography

Early life

Henry Althoff was born on August 28, 1873, in Aviston, Illinois, to Frederick and Theresa (née Poelker) Althoff.^[1] He completed his classical and philosophy studies at St. Joseph College in Teutopolis, Illinois (A.B., 1898) and at St. Francis Solanus College in Quincy, Illinois (M.A., 1899).^[1] He then studied theology at the University of Innsbruck in Innsbruck, Austria,

Priesthood

Althoff was ordained to the priesthood in Austria by then Bishop Simon Aichner on July 26, 1902.^[2] After returning to Illinois, Althoffe served as a curate at a parish in Damiansville, Illinois. In 1903, he was transferred to a parish in East St. Louis, Illinois.^[1] He served as pastor of parishes in Okawville, Illinois, and Nashville, Illinois, from 1905 to 1914.^[1][3]

Bishop of Belleville

On December 4, 1913, Althoff was appointed as the second bishop of the Diocese of Belleville by Pope Pius X.^[2] He received his episcopal consecration on February 24, 1914, from Archbishop James Quigley, with Bishops Peter Muldoon and Paul Rhode serving as co-consecrators.^[2] Althoff was noted for his abilities with languages - he was fluent in German, French and Polish, and could maintain a conversation in Croatian, Italian and Lithuanian.^[4]

In July 1927, Althoff banned female parishioners from receiving communion if they were wearing makeup, sleeveless tops or low-cut tops.^[5] In 1937, Althoff forbade church-sponsored gambling in the diocese, encouraging Catholics to support their parishes by direct contribution rather than parish parties and festivals.^[6] Later that year, he banned dancing the night before a holy day. Since New Years Day was a holy day, that meant no parties on New Year's Eve.^[7] Atholl was named by the Vatican as an assistant at the pontifical throne on April 15, 1939.^[1]

Henry Althoff died after a three-month illness in Belleville on July 3, 1947, at age 73.^[3] Althoff Catholic High School in Belleville is named in his honor.