How Three 19th-Century Priests Shaped U.S. Catholicism Forever

Three 19th-century priests left a lasting mark on the Catholic Church in the United States. Their work shaped communities across Minnesota, Kansas, and Missouri. Each brought unique skills and dedication to their mission. Msgr. Joseph Buh was born in Zadobje, now part of Slovenia, and ordained in 1858. Known as 'The Patriarch of Duluth', he established 57 parishes in the region. His leadership earned him the role of vicar general for the Diocese of Duluth. The Duluth Diocese is now exploring his sainthood cause, with U.S. bishops set to vote on advancing it in 2026.

Father Valentine Sommereisen was born in Rouffach, Alsace, and ordained two years earlier than Buh, in 1856. He became the first resident Catholic priest in southwestern Minnesota, the Dakota Territory, and western Kansas. His ministry included baptising 33 of the 38 Dakota Sioux executed in Mankato in 1862, the largest mass execution in U.S. history.

Father Bernard Donnelly, born in Kilnacreeva, County Cavan, Ireland, trained as an engineer before entering the priesthood. Nicknamed 'The Builder' and 'The Pioneer Priest', he played a key role in establishing Catholicism in Kansas City, Missouri. He owned a brickyard and supplied materials for the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. His efforts also included recruiting Irish immigrants to help develop the city’s Catholic community. The legacies of these priests endure in the parishes and communities they built. Msgr. Buh’s potential sainthood reflects his impact, while Father Sommereisen’s early ministry stabilised Catholic presence in frontier regions. Father Donnelly’s engineering background and entrepreneurial spirit left a tangible mark on Kansas City.