New Albany in Floyd County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Cardinal Joseph E. Ritter
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 24, 2022
1. Cardinal Joseph E. Ritter Marker (side A)
Born in New Albany 1892. Was ordained 1917 after graduation from St. Meinrad College and Seminary and assigned to his first parish in Indianapolis. He advanced in the church, becoming Bishop of Indianapolis 1934 and first Archbishop of new Archdiocese of Indianapolis 1944. In the 1930s, he championed the rights of African Americans in Indiana.
He was named Archbishop of St. Louis 1946. In 1947, he desegregated five Catholic St. Louis high schools amid protests. In 1961, he was elevated to Cardinal by Pope John XXIII; only Roman Catholic Cardinal from Indiana. Was an outspoken, progressive participant in all three sessions of Vatican Council II. Died 1967; buried in St. Louis.
Erected 2007 by Indiana Historical Bureau • Knights of Columbus Cardinal Ritter Council 1221. (Marker Number 22.2007.3.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1961.
Location. 38° 17.535′ N, 85° 48.774′ W. Marker is in New Albany, Indiana, in Floyd County. Marker is at the intersection of East Oak Street and East 13th Street, on the right when traveling east on East Oak Street
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Floyd County American Revolution War Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Floyd County World Peace Honor Roll (approx. 0.3 miles away); Lucy Higgs Nichols (approx. 0.3 miles away); Korean Conflict / Vietnam Conflict - Floyd County (approx. 0.3 miles away); Floyd County Honor Roll & Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Michael C. Kerr Home (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Morrill House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Fairview Cemetery (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Albany.
Regarding Cardinal Joseph E. Ritter. Cardinal Ritter attended all four (not three) sessions of Vatican Council II, 1962-1965.
Also see . . . Joseph Ritter. Wikipedia entry on the Roman Catholic prelate, who is noted for desegregating church schools and a hospital in his archdioceses and supporting the education of African-Americans. (Submitted on October 1, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 24, 2022
2. Cardinal Joseph E. Ritter Marker (side B)
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 24, 2022
3. Cardinal Joseph E. Ritter Marker
It is in front of his birthplace.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 1, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 121 times since then and 21 times this year. Last updated on November 4, 2022, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 1, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
