Name: Alerding, Herman J.
Born: 04/13/ 1845
Place Born: Ibbenbeuren, Germany
Ordained: 09/22/ 1868
Place Ordained: Saint Meinrad, Indiana
Years of Service: 1868-1900 as priest
Died: 12/06/ 1924
Place Died: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Burial Info: Crypt of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Notes: Served as a priest in Terre Haute, Indianapolis and Cambridge City. Appointed Bishop of Fort Wayne, Indiana on August 30, 1900. Consecrated Fourth Bishop of Fort Wayne.
_______________________________________
REV. HERMAN ALERDING was born in Newport, Ky., April 13, 1845; he was ordained priest by Bishop de St.Palais, at St. Meinrad, September 22, 1868, and was the assistant of Father Chasse, at Terre Haute, until the fall of 1871, and then had charge at Cambridge City until the fall of 1874, when he was appointed to St. Joseph’s church, Indianapolis, his present pastorate, and his able work here is related briefly in the sketch of his church, given elsewhere. While in charge at Cambridge City, he built a church at New Castle and another at Knightstown, which places he attended monthly. In his younger years he took active interest in temperance work, and delivered a number of lectures in various
places; though these lectures did not all exclusively treat of temperance, but on a variety of subjects.
For the history of St. Joseph’s church the publishers of the History of the Catholic Church of Indiana are indebted to the Rev. Herman Alerding, its present pastor, from whose valuable History of the Catholic church in the diocese of Vincennes much other of the information contained in this volume is also obtained. No effort will be made to expatiate the terse language of this reverend gentleman, nor will any attempt be made to estimate, much less to laud, his long and zealous labors in church work, but the publishers, nevertheless, acknowledge their obligation to him and his invaluable publication. [Blanchard, Charles – History of the Catholic Church in Indiana, Vol-2, p.33]