Henry Cosgrove
Encyclopedia
Henry Cosgrove was a late 19th century and early 20th century bishop
of the Catholic Church in the United States
. He served as the second bishop of Diocese of Davenport
, in the state of Iowa
from 1884-1906.
on December 19, 1834, to John and Bridget Cosgrove. The family moved to Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania
and then to Dubuque, Iowa
in 1845. He studied with the Rev. Joseph Cretin
, who was the vicar general
of the Diocese of Dubuque
, and later first bishop of St. Paul
. He furthered his education at St. Mary's Seminary in Perry County, Missouri
for the classics, and the seminary at Carondelet in Missouri for theology. He was ordained a priest
by Bishop Clement Smyth
on August 27, 1857 for the Diocese of Dubuque. He was assigned to St. Margaret's Church in Davenport to assist the Rev. Andrew Trevis. He became the parish's pastor in 1861. After St. Margaret's was elevated to the status of a cathderal when Davenport was established as a see city in 1881, Cosgrove became the cathedral's rector
and vicar general
to Bishop John McMullen.
that was sent to the Holy See
for Davenport's new bishop. There were still resentments about Davenport as a see city instead of Des Moines and its supporters saw an opportunity. Father Trevis, who championed Davenport as the see city and had friends at the Holy See, interceded and suggested no apponitment be made until the clergy of the diocese had their say. The clergy desired one of their own as bishop, and chose Cosgrove. A petition was sent to Rome. Henry Cosgrove was appointed the second bishop of Davenport on July 11, 1884 by Pope
Leo XIII, and was consecrated in St. Margaret's Cathedral on September 14, 1884 by Archbishop Patrick Feehan
of Chicago. Bishops John Hennessy
of Dubuque and James O'Connor
, the Vicar Apostolic of Nebraska, were the principal co-consecrators.
Bishop Cosgrove would serve the Davenport Diocese for 22 years. He was a friend of Archbishop John Ireland
of St. Paul
and was therefore aligned with the more progressive wing of the American hierarchy. While the diocese had no newspaper at the time, the periodical Iowa Orphan's Friend reported on Cosgrove's activities and published his pastoral letters. It was sort of a "house organ" for the bishop. While Cosgrove was less outspoken it quoted Archbishop Ireland liberally.
In 1884 Bishop Cosgrove attended the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore, which among other things established the Baltimore Catechism
. St. Ambrose College moved from St. Margaret's School, where it had been founded, to its present campus location in 1885. It was decided that St. Margaret's was not suitable for cathedral functions. A new cathedral with a new name, Sacred Heart, was built on the same block as the old cathedral in 1891. The old cathedral was torn down. St. Vincent's Home for orphans was established in Davenport by the Congregation of the Humility of Mary in 1896.
Bishop Cosgrove supported the Temperance Movement and called for a moral crusade in the diocese, especially in the see city. In 1903 he was quoted in the national media calling Davenport "the wicked city of its size in America" because of its notorious Bucktown District, an area of speakeasies and houses of prosititution, which were down the hill from the cathedral.
be named to assist him and then succeed him after his death. On October 7, 1904, Pope Saint Pius X named the rector of Sacred Heart Cathedral and diocesan vicar general, the Very Rev. James J. Davis
, as Coadjutor Bishop of Davenport. Cosgrove presided over the diocese's second synod
the same year. He died two years later at the age of 72. After his funeral, Bishop Cosgrove was laid to rest in the cathedral crypt. His body was later moved to Mt. Calvary Cemetery
in Davenport when the diocese abandoned the crypt below the cathedral.
. Cosgrove Hall, a residence hall at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa
is named in his honor.
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of the Catholic Church in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. He served as the second bishop of Diocese of Davenport
Roman Catholic Diocese of Davenport
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Davenport is a diocese of the Catholic Church for the southeastern quarter of the state of Iowa. There are within the diocese...
, in the state of Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
from 1884-1906.
Early Life & Ministry
Henry Cosgrove was born in Williamsport, PennsylvaniaWilliamsport, Pennsylvania
Williamsport is a city in and the county seat of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania in the United States. In 2009, the population was estimated at 29,304...
on December 19, 1834, to John and Bridget Cosgrove. The family moved to Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania
Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania
Hollidaysburg is a borough in Blair County, Pennsylvania, on the Juniata River, south of Altoona. It is the county seat of Blair County. It is part of the Altoona, Pennsylvania, Metropolitan Statistical Area and is one of the communities that comprises the Altoona Urban Area...
and then to Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque is a city in and the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, located along the Mississippi River. In 2010 its population was 57,637, making it the ninth-largest city in the state and the county's population was 93,653....
in 1845. He studied with the Rev. Joseph Cretin
Joseph Crétin
Joseph Crétin was the first Roman Catholic Bishop of Saint Paul, Minnesota. Cretin Avenue in St. Paul, Cretin-Derham Hall High School, and Cretin Hall at the University of St. Thomas are named for him....
, who was the vicar general
Vicar general
A vicar general is the principal deputy of the bishop of a diocese for the exercise of administrative authority. As vicar of the bishop, the vicar general exercises the bishop's ordinary executive power over the entire diocese and, thus, is the highest official in a diocese or other particular...
of the Diocese of Dubuque
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dubuque
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dubuque is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the northeastern quarter of the state of Iowa in the United States. It includes all the Iowa counties north of Polk, Jasper, Poweshiek, Iowa, Johnson, Cedar, and Clinton counties. ...
, and later first bishop of St. Paul
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Catholic Church in the United States. It is led by the prelature of an archbishop which administers the archdiocese from the cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis...
. He furthered his education at St. Mary's Seminary in Perry County, Missouri
Perry County, Missouri
Perry County is a county located in Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the county's population was 18,132. In 2008 the population was estimated to be 18,743. Its county seat is Perryville. The county was officially organized on November 16, 1820 from Ste...
for the classics, and the seminary at Carondelet in Missouri for theology. He was ordained a priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
by Bishop Clement Smyth
Clement Smyth
Timothy Clement Smyth, OCSO was an Irish born 19th century bishop of the Catholic Church in the United States. He served as the second leader of the Diocese of Dubuque following the death of Bishop Mathias Loras....
on August 27, 1857 for the Diocese of Dubuque. He was assigned to St. Margaret's Church in Davenport to assist the Rev. Andrew Trevis. He became the parish's pastor in 1861. After St. Margaret's was elevated to the status of a cathderal when Davenport was established as a see city in 1881, Cosgrove became the cathedral's rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
and vicar general
Vicar general
A vicar general is the principal deputy of the bishop of a diocese for the exercise of administrative authority. As vicar of the bishop, the vicar general exercises the bishop's ordinary executive power over the entire diocese and, thus, is the highest official in a diocese or other particular...
to Bishop John McMullen.
Bishop of Davenport
After the death of Bishop McMullen, Cosgrove was named administrator of the see. His name was not on the ternaAppointment of Catholic bishops
The appointment of bishops in the Catholic Church is a complicated process. Outgoing bishops, neighbouring bishops, the faithful, the apostolic nuncio, various members of the Roman Curia, and the pope all have a role in the selection...
that was sent to the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
for Davenport's new bishop. There were still resentments about Davenport as a see city instead of Des Moines and its supporters saw an opportunity. Father Trevis, who championed Davenport as the see city and had friends at the Holy See, interceded and suggested no apponitment be made until the clergy of the diocese had their say. The clergy desired one of their own as bishop, and chose Cosgrove. A petition was sent to Rome. Henry Cosgrove was appointed the second bishop of Davenport on July 11, 1884 by Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
Leo XIII, and was consecrated in St. Margaret's Cathedral on September 14, 1884 by Archbishop Patrick Feehan
Patrick Feehan
Archbishop Patrick Augustine Feehan , was a U.S. Catholic bishop. He served as the fifth Bishop and first Archbishop of Chicago between 1880 and 1902, during which the church in Chicago was elevated to an archdiocese. Prior to moving to Chicago, Feehan served as the third bishop of the Diocese of...
of Chicago. Bishops John Hennessy
John Hennessy (Archbishop)
-External links:**...
of Dubuque and James O'Connor
James O'Connor (archbishop)
James O'Connor, D.D. was the first Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Omaha.Born in Queenstown, Ireland, he went to America at the age of fifteen. He was educated at St. Charles's Seminary, Philadelphia, and in the Propaganda College, Rome where he was ordained a priest in 1848...
, the Vicar Apostolic of Nebraska, were the principal co-consecrators.
John Ireland (archbishop)
John Ireland was the third bishop and first archbishop of Saint Paul, Minnesota . He became both a religious as well as civic leader in Saint Paul during the turn of the century...
of St. Paul
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Catholic Church in the United States. It is led by the prelature of an archbishop which administers the archdiocese from the cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis...
and was therefore aligned with the more progressive wing of the American hierarchy. While the diocese had no newspaper at the time, the periodical Iowa Orphan's Friend reported on Cosgrove's activities and published his pastoral letters. It was sort of a "house organ" for the bishop. While Cosgrove was less outspoken it quoted Archbishop Ireland liberally.
In 1884 Bishop Cosgrove attended the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore, which among other things established the Baltimore Catechism
Baltimore Catechism
A Catechism of Christian Doctrine, Prepared and Enjoined by Order of the Third Council of Baltimore was the de facto standard Catholic school text in the United States from 1885 to the late 1960s....
. St. Ambrose College moved from St. Margaret's School, where it had been founded, to its present campus location in 1885. It was decided that St. Margaret's was not suitable for cathedral functions. A new cathedral with a new name, Sacred Heart, was built on the same block as the old cathedral in 1891. The old cathedral was torn down. St. Vincent's Home for orphans was established in Davenport by the Congregation of the Humility of Mary in 1896.
Bishop Cosgrove supported the Temperance Movement and called for a moral crusade in the diocese, especially in the see city. In 1903 he was quoted in the national media calling Davenport "the wicked city of its size in America" because of its notorious Bucktown District, an area of speakeasies and houses of prosititution, which were down the hill from the cathedral.
Later life & Death
Toward the end of his life, Bishop Cosgrove's health started to fail. He requested a coadjutor bishopCoadjutor bishop
A coadjutor bishop is a bishop in the Roman Catholic or Anglican churches who is designated to assist the diocesan bishop in the administration of the diocese, almost as co-bishop of the diocese...
be named to assist him and then succeed him after his death. On October 7, 1904, Pope Saint Pius X named the rector of Sacred Heart Cathedral and diocesan vicar general, the Very Rev. James J. Davis
James J. Davis (Catholic bishop)
James J. Davis was a 20th-century bishop of the Catholic Church in the United States. He served as the third bishop of the Diocese of Davenport in the state of Iowa from 1906 to 1926.-Early life and ministry:...
, as Coadjutor Bishop of Davenport. Cosgrove presided over the diocese's second synod
Synod
A synod historically is a council of a church, usually convened to decide an issue of doctrine, administration or application. In modern usage, the word often refers to the governing body of a particular church, whether its members are meeting or not...
the same year. He died two years later at the age of 72. After his funeral, Bishop Cosgrove was laid to rest in the cathedral crypt. His body was later moved to Mt. Calvary Cemetery
Mount Calvary Cemetery (Davenport, Iowa)
Mount Calvary Cemetery is located in north-central Davenport, Iowa, United States. It was established as St. Marguerite’s Cemetery in the 1850s on of property donated by Antoine LeClaire. At the time the cemetery lay outside the city of Davenport...
in Davenport when the diocese abandoned the crypt below the cathedral.
Legacy
Bishop Cosgrove was the first native born bishop of the United States appointed to a see west of the Mississippi RiverMississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
. Cosgrove Hall, a residence hall at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa
Davenport, Iowa
Davenport is a city located along the Mississippi River in Scott County, Iowa, United States. Davenport is the county seat of and largest city in Scott County. Davenport was founded on May 14, 1836 by Antoine LeClaire and was named for his friend, George Davenport, a colonel during the Black Hawk...
is named in his honor.