Henry J. Althoff
Henry J. Althoff (August 28, 1873 – July 3, 1947) was an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Belleville from 1914 until his death in 1947. Biography. Henry Althoff was born in Aviston, Illinois, to Frederick and Theresa (née Poelker) Althoff. He completed his classical and philosophical studies at St. Joseph College in Teutopolis (A.B., 1898) and at St. Francis Solanus College in Quincy (M.A., 1899). He then studied theology at the University of Innsbruck in Austria, where Althoff was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Simon Aichner on July 26, 1902. Upon  his return to the United States, he served as a curate in Damiansville until 1903, when he was transferred to East St. Louis. He served as pastor of Okawville and Nashville from 1905 to 1914. On December 4, 1913, Althoff was appointed the second Bishop of Belleville by Pope Pius X. He received his episcopal consecration on February 24, 1914 from Archbishop James Edward Quigley, with Bishops Peter Muldoon and Paul Peter Rhode serving as co-consecrators. In 1937 he forbade church gambling in the diocese and encouraged Catholics to support their churches by direct contribution rather than parish parties  and festivals. He was named an Assistant at the Pontifical Throne on April 15, 1939. Althoff remained as bishop for thirty-three years, until his death at age 73. Althoff Catholic High School in Belleville is named in his honor.