JOSEPH G. PINTEN

Reverend JOSEPH G. PINTEN, pastor of the cathedral parish at Marquette, Marquette County, Michigan, whose labors have centered there since 1897, was born in 1867 at Rockland, Ontonagon County, Michigan. His rearing and early education were had at Calumet, Houghton County. After completing his classical studies at the Milwaukee Seminary, Father Pinten went to Rome, where for six years he was carefully instructed in theology and philosophy. On November i, 189o, he was ordained in Rome by Cardinal Parocchi, after which he returned to his American home. His first charge was in Detour, Michigan, where he continued one year and then for four years he had charge of the Italian parish at Iron Mountain. After a few months spent at L'Anse, Baraga County, he was sent to Marquette and has now charge of a parish comprising about 500 families. The new cathedral which was consecrated in July, 1890, was built by Bishop Vertin and is one of the finest edifices of its kind in the Northern Peninsula of Michigan. It has a seating capacity for 1500 or more and is very modern in its architecture. A fine parochial school for boys was erected by Bishop Vertin in 1898, and a new one is being erected on an opposite location for girls. This will be a magnificent structure, with dimensions of 72 by 130 feet, a fine gymnasium being planned for the basement. The first floor of the new building will contain eight large class rooms with seating capacity for over 400; the second story will have an assembly room seating 1,200, and thus the structure will be the best constructed school building in the whole diocese. In order to harmonize with the beautiful cathedral, the school will be built of cut sandstone. As this magnificent school edifice will be known as the Baraga School, its name will perpetuate the memory of the first bishop of the diocese, Frederick Baraga.

Source: Biographical Record, Houghton, Baraga and Marquette Counties.  Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company, 1903.