16 Facts About James Blenk

James Blenk was born in Edenkoben, Rhenish Palatinate, to James and Catherine Blenk.

James Blenk's parents died only some weeks later and the orphan James Blenk was brought up in a Catholic family.

James Blenk was then sent to the Marist House of Studies in Belley, France, and completed his probationary studies at the novitiate in Lyons before being sent to further his studies at the Catholic University of Ireland in Dublin.

James Blenk was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Francis Redwood on August 16,1885.

James Blenk returned to New Orleans in February 1897, and was named rector of the Church of the Holy Name of Mary in Algiers.

On June 12,1899, James Blenk was appointed Bishop of Puerto Rico by Pope Leo XIII.

James Blenk was forced to suppress the seminary due to a lack of resources and seminarians.

James Blenk renovated the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista for over $12,000.

James Blenk was promoted to the seventh Archbishop of New Orleans on April 20,1906.

James Blenk received the pallium, a vestment worn by metropolitan bishops, on April 24,1907.

James Blenk continued the practice of segregated parishes for African Americans and established several himself, including St Dominic Parish in 1909.

James Blenk was a friend and mentor to fellow Marist John Edward Gunn, Bishop of Natchez.

James Blenk organized the Louisiana State Federation of Catholic Societies, Catholic Societies of Women of Louisiana, Knights of Peter Claver at Opelousas, and Catholic Women's Club.

James Blenk wrote the article on New Orleans bishop Luis Ignatius Penalver y Cardenas for the Catholic Encyclopedia.

James Blenk died eleven years after his appointment to New Orleans, aged 60.

Archbishop James Blenk was the principal consecrator of Bishops John William Shaw, Joseph Patrick Lynch, John Edward Gunn and John Laval, the Auxiliary Bishop of New Orleans.