Francis Peter Leipzig
Francis Peter Leipzig was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of Baker City in Oregon from 1950 to 1971.
Biography
Early life
Francis Leipzig was born on June 29, 1895 in Chilton, Wisconsin, the fourth child of Francis and Mary Leipzig. He enrolled at St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but later moved with his family to Portland, Oregon. He attended Mount Angel Seminary in St Benedict, Oregon, and then studied theology at St. Patrick's Seminary in Menlo Park, California.Priesthood
Leipzig was ordained to the priesthood in Portland for the Archdiocese of Oregon City by Archbishop Alexander Christie on April 17, 1920. He served as a curate at St. James Parish in McMinnville, Oregon, and afterwards at Good Shepherd Parish in Sheridan, Oregon. Leipzig was transferred to the Cathedral of Portland in 1921. He served as pastor of St. Mary Parish in Corvallis, Oregon, for seven years before being transferred to St. Mary Parish in Eugene, Oregon.Bishop of Baker City and Baker
On July 18, 1950, Leipzig was appointed the third bishop of Baker City by Pope Pius XII. He received his episcopal consecration at Saint Mary's Cathedral in Portland on September 12, 1950, from Archbishop Edward Daniel Howard, with Archbishop Edwin Vincent O'Hara and Bishop Edward Joseph Kelly serving as co-consecrators.In 1952, Pius XII changed the name of the Diocese of Baker City to the Diocese of Baker. Between 1962 and 1965, Leipzig attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council in Rome. During his 21-year-tenure as bishop, he built over 95 churches, hospitals, schools, and convents.