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Aloysius Schulte

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The Reverend Msgr
A. J. Schulte
Born1858
DiedJanuary 17, 1940
NationalityAmerican
Known for1st President ofSt. Ambrose University,Davenport, Iowa

Aloysius Joseph Schulte(1858–1940) was anAmerican Catholicacademic who served as the first president ofSt. Ambrose CollegeinDavenport, Iowa,from 1882 to 1891.

Biography

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Schulte was born inFort Madison, Iowa.[1]He received his classical education fromSt. Francis SeminaryinMilwaukee,and studied for the priesthood atSt. John's UniversityinCollegeville, Minnesota.He was ordained a priest on December 28, 1881, by BishopJohn McMullen,first bishop of theDiocese of Davenport,atSt. Margaret's Cathedral.He was the first priest ordained for the diocese.[1]

After ordination Schulte worked as a cathedral assistant before he was slated by McMullen to organize St. Ambrose College. The school had 40high schoolstudents during the first year, and 85 students when he left. In addition to his administrative responsibilities he taught Latin, German and rhetoric. During Schulte's presidency, the central portion ofAmbrose Hallwas built.[2]In 1889 he was appointed to a committee to promote and ensure quality education in the schools of the diocese by BishopHenry Cosgrove.

After leaving St. Ambrose College, Schulte took a pastorate atSt. Mary's ChurchinIowa City.He would spend nearly 50 years as pastor of St. Mary's during which time many expansion and improvement projects were undertaken. He also focused his attention on the parish school. At the very beginning of his pastorate the presentrectorywas built in 1892. The same year he purchased property for a new school and the new building was built the following year. High school grades were added to the school in 1897, and Schulte saw to it that the school was accredited by theState University of Iowa.It was the first Catholic high school is the state to receive the accreditation.[3]The church was renovated and redecorated from 1907-1908. An addition was built on to the school in 1911, which included an auditorium and cafeteria, and a new convent was built for the Sisters who taught in the school in 1926.

BishopHenry Rohlmannominated Schulte for papal honors twice. In 1927 PopePius XInamed Schulte aDomestic Prelate,and in 1931 named him aProtonotary Apostolic.Both honors allowed Schulte the use of the title Right Reverend Monsignor. Msgr. Schulte died while still pastor at St. Mary's on January 17, 1940, and was buried in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Iowa City.[3]He was 81 years old. He does have some relatives living in Iowa today.

References

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  1. ^abSchmidt, Madeleine M. (1981).Seasons of Growth: History of the Diocese of Davenport.Davenport, Iowa: Diocese of Davenport.
  2. ^"Past Presidents".St. Ambrose University.Retrieved2007-03-21.
  3. ^abLalor, Francis Richard (1993).Celebrating Thanks! A History of St. Mary of the Assumption Parish Iowa City, Iowa.Iowa City, Iowa: St. Mary's Parish.
Academic offices
Preceded by
none
PresidentofSt. Ambrose University
1882–1891
Succeeded by