Bishop Joseph Maria Koudelka, 1911-1913
Bishop Koudelka was born December 8, 1852 in Clistovo, Bohemia. At age 16 he immigrated with his parents to Reedsville, WI. He attended Mount Calvary, before studying philosophy and theology at St. Francis Seminary. In part because of his knowledge of languages, he occasionally filled in as a substitute teacher at the seminary. He spoke English, German, French, Polish, Slovac, Bohemian, Slovenian, Russian and Magyar. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Cleveland in 1875. During his time in Cleveland, he worked with Bohemian and German immigrants.
In 1908, he was named auxiliary Bishop of Cleveland, and on September 4, 1911, he was appointed as Auxiliary Bishop to Archbishop Messmer for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. In addition to his duties as bishop he was appointed pastor of St. Peter and Paul Parish in Milwaukee. He was later named Bishop of the Superior Diocese in 1913. He died June 24, 1921 and is buried at St. Mary Cemetery in Cleveland near his parents.
Bishop Koudelka was known for working beyond the borders of his diocese and worked with over a hundred missions for Bohemian Catholics in different areas of the country.
Bishop Edward Kozlowski, 1913-1915
Bishop Kozlowski was born November 21, 1860 in Tarnow in the Austrian region Poland. He studied at the Tarnow Preparatory College and began his studies for the priesthood in 1885 at St. Francis Seminary.
He was first ordained a priest for Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1887, and in 1913 was appointed an Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee under Archbishop Messmer. He was also assigned to the large Polish parish, St. Stanislaus. He died August 1, 1915 of blood poisoning and is buried in Milwaukee.
Bishop Roman R. Atkielski, 1947-1969
Bishop Atkielski was born the ninth of twelve children on August 5, 1898 in Milwaukee. He attended St. Casimir and St. Mary Czestochowa schools in Milwaukee and later attended the Jesuit Prairie du Chien Champion Academy and Marquette University. He did not enter Seminary directly, but instead worked for nine years to help support his family after his three older brothers left for World War I.
In 1927, he entered St. Francis Seminary and was ordained in 1931 at St. John Cathedral. He worked first as Assistant Pastor of St. Stanislaus and St. Mary Czestochowa in Milwaukee, before serving the diocese as secretary to Archbishop Stritch, Chancellor of the Diocese and Diocesan Consulter. He was appointed by the Pope as a Papal Chamerberlain in 1938 and was made a Domestic Prelate in 1944.
He was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Milwaukee on August 2, 1947 and served the diocese for 22 years. In addition to his duties as Auxiliary, he was also appointed pastor of St. Sebastian in Milwaukee and Christ King in Wauwatosa. He died June 30, 1969 after collapsing in the rectory of Christ King Parish. He is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Milwaukee.
Bishop Leo Joseph Brust, 1969-1991
Bishop Brust was born January 7, 1916 in St. Francis, Wisconsin. He was the youngest of five children. He attended St. Stephen School in New Coeln (by the airport) and studied at St. Francis Seminary and Canisianum in Austria. His studies in Europe were disrupted by World War II and he was transferred to Catholic University of America to finish his studies. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee May 30, 1942 at St. Anne Church in Milwaukee
Bishop Brust was assigned to St. Jude in Wauwatosa in 1942, and in 1944 was named Vice Chancellor. In 1948 was appointed Chancellor of the Archdiocese, where he served for 21 years.
He was ordained a Bishop October 16, 1969 in Mater Christi Chapel of De Sales Preparatory Seminary and named Vicar General of the Archdiocese. He was also appointed pastor of Christ the King in Wauwatosa. In addition to his duties as Bishop, he also served as Vicar of Finance, Vicar for Parish Affairs, and Episcopal Delegate for the Departments of Finance, Administration and Clergy Personnel. He retired in 1991 but continued to reside at the Cousins Center and participate in Archdiocesan activities. He died January 31, 1995 after battling a number of health problems.