| Birth: | Feb. 15, 1863
Ohio, USA | | Death: | Mar. 1, 1936
Los Angeles County
California, USA | 
Father William S. Kress, a priest for forty-eight years, was born in East Liverpool, Ohio, on February 15, 1863. He studied for the priesthood at St. Vincent's College, Latrobe, Pa, and St. Mary's Seminary in Cleveland, Ohio, where he was ordained on May 28, 1888.
After a period of three years at Catholic University in Washington, where he was among a group of pioneer students, Father Kress returned to Cleveland. Bishop Horstmann, who felt a responsibility for the sould of Catholics and non-Catholics alike, formed the Cleveland Apostolate, a band of diocesan priests who preached to both Catholics and non-Catholics in missions throughout the United States. Father Kress was one of the three original members of this group and was later appointed its leader. While operating in this capacity he also wrote several books on socialism and economics.
In 1920, when circumstances brought about the discontinuance of the Apostolate, he resigned his position as pastor of St. Edward's Parish in Cleveland, to join Maryknoll. It was not easy for Father Kress, at age 58, to start learning new languages and customs in preparation for an overseas assignment. However, he was well fitted to spend the greater part of his last 16 years tending souls for Christ at the Japanese Mission in California, and later starting the Sacred Heart Parish in Honolulu, where there was an opportunity to bring Orientals to the Faith.
Father Kress died of pneumonia, in St. Vibiana Hospital, Los Angeles, and was buried with a solemn mass of Reequiem celebrated by Father H.T. Lavery, his assistant at the Japanese mission. Father Kress was interred in the Maryknoll plot in Calvary Cemetery of the Diocese of Los Angeles. (This was his official bio, published in the 1930s)
| | | Burial:
Calvary Cemetery
Los Angeles
Los Angeles County
California, USA
Plot: Maryknoll Section |
Created by: Anne
Record added: Dec 17, 2010
Find A Grave Memorial# 63034603 |
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Cemetery Photo
Added by:
James Seidelman
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Click on image for full size. | |
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Rest in peace
-
Cori Hoag
Added: Jan. 21, 2013 |
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