Bishop Louis B. Kucera Papers

Born August 24, 1888, in Wheatland, MN, Louis Benedict Kucera was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Kucera.  Louis attended the preparatory school at St. John’s University before attending the College of St. Thomas.  After graduating in 1909, he was offered an appointment to West Point, but instead chose to continue his studies for the priesthood at the Saint Paul Seminary.  He was ordained by Archbishop Ireland on June 8, 1915, and was appointed to the Dubuque diocese. Following his ordination, he served as assistant pastor at St. Patrick’s Church in Tama, IA, for one year.  In 1916 he was posted at Columbia College (now Loras College) where he served as a Professor of Latin and Dean and Disciplinarian of St. Joseph’s Hall.  In July of 1925 he was appointed pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Protivin, IA.  There he was instrumental in the construction of the Rudolphinum High School in Protivin.  On October 28, 1930, he was installed as the Bishop of Lincoln, NB.  He served in this position until his death on May 9, 1957.