October 2, 1939
Bishop August J. Schwertner
Bishop Schwertner was born on December 2, 1870 in Canton, OH where he attended St. Peter’s Grade School and Canton High School. After attending Canisius College in Buffalo, NY he entered St. Mary’s Seminary in Cleveland, OH and was ordained by Bishop Ignatius Horstman of Cleveland for the Diocese of Toledo. Following various assignments as assistant and pastor, he was made Chancellor of the Diocese of Toledo on October 13, 1913 and was made a monsignor on March 22, 1916. Msgr. Schwertner was named Bishop of the Diocese of Wichita on November 11, 1921 and served as ordinary of the diocese for eighteen years during which time 45 school buildings, 42 churches, 36 rectories, 17 convents, 8 parish halls, and 3 hospitals were built. He was known for his organization, attention to detail, and for his constant visits to all parts of the diocese as is witnessed by his confirming 31, 380 children and adults. A special focus was his preaching and encouraging vocations so that by the time of his death there were 115 diocesan priests. Bishop Schwertner suffered for many years with diabetes and he died on October 2, 1939 after nine months of acute illness. Archbishop Joseph Schrembs of Cleveland, who consecrated Bishop Schwertner and preached at his installation ceremony, was celebrant of his funeral at St. Mary’s Cathedral on October 5, 1939 and noted in the sermon, “Bishop Schwertner succeeded because he did not make himself bigger than his work.” (The Catholic Advance, Oct. 14, 1939) Bishop Schwertner was buried in Calvary Cemetery in Wichita.