Finding aid for the Archbishop Karl J. Alter
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Title: |
Archbishop Karl J. Alter |
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Repository: |
Archdiocese of Cincinnati Archives
Phone: 513-421-3131
http://www.catholiccincinnati.org/ministries-offices/archives-office/
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Creator: |
Archbishop Karl J. Alter |
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Dates: |
1910-1978 |
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Bulk dates: |
1950-1969 |
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Quantity: |
100 linear feet |
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Abstract: |
Archbishop Karl J. Alter, a native of Toledo, Ohio, was ordained to the priesthood for that diocese in 1910. He was appointed
bishop of his native diocese in 1931, spending 19 years in that role until being named archbishop of Cincinnati in 1950. In
this archdiocese he oversaw the restoration of St. Peter in Chains Cathedral and the completion of St. Gregory Seminary, as
well as some 130 other major building projects. The archbishop was responsible for implementing the reforms of Vatican II
in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Archbishop Alter retired in 1969 but maintained an active and visible role in the life of
the archdiocese until his death in 1977.
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Identification: |
RG 1.6 |
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Language: |
The records are in English and Latin |
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Sample Image: |
Archbishop Karl J. Alter Folder List |
Biography of Archbishop Karl J. Alter
Archbishop Karl J. Alter was born in Toledo, Ohio on August 18, 1885, the son of John and Elizabeth Kuttner Alter. He was
educated in St. John's University, Toledo, and St. Mary's Seminary, Cleveland. Alter was ordained to the priesthood for the
Diocese of Cleveland on June 4, 1910. He was appointed bishop of his native diocese in 1931, spending 19 years in that role
until being named Archbishop of Cincinnati in 1950. In this archdiocese he oversaw the restoration of St. Peter in Chains
Cathedral and the completion of St. Gregory Seminary, as well as some 130 other major building projects of churches, schools,
and convents. The archbishop was responsible for implementing the reforms of Vatican II in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.
Archbishop Alter retired on October 2, 1969 but maintained an active and visible role in the life of the Archdiocese until
his death in 1977.
Archbishop Alter was known on a national level, serving in many capacities in the National Catholic Welfare Conference and
as a part of the Central Preparatory Commission for the Second Vatican Council. During the Council itself, Archbishop Alter
served on the Commission on Bishops and Government of Dioceses. In the Archdiocese, he called and presided over the Fifth
Synod of the Archdiocese and reorganized the Archdiocesan Councils of Catholic Men and Catholic Women.
Scope and Content
This record group predominantly documents the activities of Archbishop Karl J. Alter in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati from
1950 until his retirement in 1969. It includes some family correspondence, writings, scrapbooks, and publications from the
Diocese of Toledo, but is mainly of his administrative files while archbishop. Folder list in attached excel spreadsheet.
Archbishop Karl J. Alter Folder List
Statement of Arrangement
The records are arranged into the following series. Note that Alter maintained two sets of general business files: one in
the chancery and one in his home on Belmont Avenue. This original filling order is maintained. Generally, the files from Belmont
Avenue are not as comprehensive as the former, and both should be consulted. The series are described below.
Series 1.6-01: Diocese of Toledo
Abp. Alter was the bishop of the Diocese of Toledo from 1931 until installed in Cincinnati in 1950. This small series includes
memorabilia including sermons given by Alter, editorials for the diocesan newspaper The Catholic Chronicle, and clergy bulletins.
Series 1.6-02: Appointment and Installation
Alter was installed as Archbishop of Cincinnati on 21 June 1950. This series includes the affidavit of transfer from the Diocese
of Toledo, general celebrations program, guest lists, and correspondence.
Series 1.6-03: General Files
The General Files are arranged chronologically and contains similar files which may be found in other series. Institutions
which are under the auspices of the Archdiocese but not an official institution of the Archdiocese will be found here. Included
here are files on the Athenaeum, Catholic Charities, Catholic Youth Organization, Cemeteries, fraternal societies, Liturgical
Commission, Mount St. Mary Seminary, National and Ohio Catholic Welfare Conferences, correspondence with the apostolic delegate,
St. Joseph Orphanage, veterans programs, and many other topics. See also "Belmont Avenue General Files."
Series 1.6-04: Administrative Board and Board of Consultors
These monthly meetings of Alter with selected priests cover a variety of topics and decisions for parishes, building projects,
priestly appointments, and installations. Arranged chronologically.
Series 1.6-05: Correspondence with Bishops
Arranged alphabetically by last name of bishop. Dates of letters exceed the time of Alter's tenure as archbishop and include
correspondence from his years of retirement.
Series 1.6-06: Estates and Bequests
Estate papers include bequests and gifts to the Archdiocese. They are first arranged by gifts to Mount St. Mary Seminary and
St. Joseph Orphanage, and then alphabetically by name of grantor.
Series 1.6-07: High Schools
These files cover the administration of high schools throughout the Archdiocese. They are arranged alphabetically first by
schools in Hamilton County, then alphabetically by school name for the remaining counties. The series begins with assessment
sheets completed in the late 1960s.
Series 1.6-08: National Catholic Welfare Conference (NCWC)
Alter was heavily involved with the NCWC. Within the National Catholic Welfare Conference, he served two terms as vice-chairman
(1950-52, 1956-58), two terms as chairman (1952-55, 1958-62), and one term as secretary (1962-66). Arranged alphabetically
by topic, these files cover needs in other countries, Catholic Men's and Women's Councils, education, and war relief services.
Series 1.6-09: Parish Files
Files arranged alphabetically by parish name for Hamilton County, Montgomery County, then city name. Consists of administrative
activities such as pastor and associate pastor appointments, permissions for various church activities and building projects.
Subseries 1.6-09a: Parish Matrimonial and Other Cases
This series was separated from the Parish Files. Paperwork related to marriage dispensations, divorces, and excommunications
were removed for this separate series. Files arranged alphabetically by parish name for Hamilton County, Montgomery County,
then city name. Series Restricted.
Series 1.6-10: Religious Communities
Files arranged first by male orders in Cincinnati, Dayton, then alphabetically by other cities. Followed by orders of women
religious in Cincinnati, Dayton, then other cities. Consists of administrative activities such as pastor and chaplain appointments,
permissions for various church activities building projects, imprimatur requests, etc. As religious communities managed certain
universities, that paperwork will be found here. Of particular note is a controversy at University of Dayton regarding birth
control in 1967.
Subseries 1.6-10a: Canonical Visitations
Over his tenure as Archbishop, Alter made three canonical visitations to religious communities in the Archdiocese. These occurred
in 1953, 1958, and 1964. Summary reports for each visitation are included in this series.
Subseries 1.6-10b: Indults for Secularization
Indults are formal requests made by religious men and women to receive a dispensation from their religious vows. Files are
predominately arranged by religious community. Two chronological files were removed from "General Files" for this series.
Series Restricted.
Series 1.6-11: Belmont Avenue General Files
The Belmont Avenue files are Alter's records maintained at his private residence. The General Files are arranged chronologically
and contains similar files which may be found in other series. Institutions which are under the auspices of the Archdiocese
but not an official institution of the Archdiocese will be found here. Included here are files on the Athenaeum, Catholic
Charities, Catholic Youth Organization, Cemeteries, fraternal societies, Liturgical Commission, Mount St. Mary Seminary, National
and Ohio Catholic Welfare Conferences, correspondence with the apostolic delegate, St. Joseph Orphanage, veterans programs,
and many other topics. See also "General Files."
Series 1.6-12: Belmont Avenue Parish Files
The Belmont Avenue files are Alter's records that were maintaind at his private residence. Files arranged alphabetically by
parish name for all counties. Consists of administrative activities such as pastor and associate pastor appointments, permissions
for various church activities and building projects. This series does not include every parish. See also "Parish Files."
Series 1.6-13: Belmont Avenue Religious Communities
The Belmont Avenue files are Alter's records that were kept at his private residence. Files arranged first by male orders
in Cincinnati, Dayton, then alphabetically by other cities. Followed by orders of women religious in Cincinnati, Dayton, then
other cities. Consists of administrative activities such as pastor and chaplain appointments, permissions for various church
activities building projects, imprimatur requests, visitations, etc. See also "Religious Communities."
Series 1.6-14: Belmont Avenue Schools
The Belmont Avenue files are Alter's records that were kept at his private residence. This series includes correspondence
files with the superintendents of Catholic schools and administrative correspondence files with elementary and high schools.
What is unique about this series is that there is not another series with records from the superintendent or elementary schools.
Included here is the 1950s high school campaign.
Series 1.6-15: Belmont Avenue Seminaries
The Belmont Avenue files are Alter's records that were kept at his private residence. This series includes the administrative
files for St. Gregory Seminary, Mount St. Mary Seminary, Teacher's College, and correspondence with Rev. Robert Tensing, rector.
Series 1.6-16: Monographs
In this series are two books of collected writings and sermons by Alter. A Bishop's Rostrum: Occasional Addresses Illustrating
Social Viewpoints of the Church (1946) and The Mind of an Archbishop (1960).
Series 1.6-17: Sermons and Writings
Alter's sermons are arranged chronologically and are accompanied by an index which spans 1950-1968. Many of the sermons have
duplicate copies. The series ends with several pamphlets of sermons, arranged alphabetically. The sermons and writings cover
many topics from dedications, anniversaries, funerals, commencement speeches, politics, etc.
Series 1.6-18: Personal Files
The personal files of Alter have four main focuses: an alphabetical listing of correspondence before, during, and after his
tenure as Archbishop, his 50th priestly jubilee in 1960, letters of congratulation and thanks at his retirement in 1969, and
funeral arrangements and letters to condolence to Abp. Joseph Bernardin in 1977.
Series 1.6-19: Scrapbooks
Scrapbooks cover a variety of topics during Alter's tenure as Archbishop, including vocations, University of Dayton birth
control controversy, the 1954 Marian year, Alter's 25th episcopal anniversary, and his installation as Archbishop. Art includes
the Cellini crucifix and Cathedral Choir School.
Series 1.6-20: Audiovisual
Reels in this series cover either Abp. Alter or events during his time as Archbishop. Of note is a 1972 interview with the
retired archbishop about the years 1950-1969, his installation in 1950, and media coverage of the Second Vatican Council.
Restrictions on Access
This record group is generally open for research. However, two series are restricted:
Subseries 1.6-09a: Parish Matrimonial and Other Cases Subseries 1.6-10b: Indults for Secularization
Related Material: Related Material
See also: RG 3.4 Building Commission RG 3.5 Second Vatican Council
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Subjects:
Alter, Karl J.
Athenaeum of Ohio
Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio
Catholic Church--Adult education--United States--Societies, etc.
Catholic Church--Education
Catholic Church. Archdiocese of Cincinnati (Ohio)
Catholic Church. Diocese of Toledo (Ohio)
Catholic Youth Organization
Catholic universities and colleges
Institutum Divi Thomae
Men--Religious life
Mount St. Mary's Seminary of the West (Norwood, Ohio)
Renovation (Architecture)
Social action series (National Catholic Welfare Conference. Social Action Department)
Vatican Council (2nd : 1962-1965 : Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano)
Women--Religious life
Preferred Citation
Item Description, date, box number, folder number, Record Group Number, Record Group Name, Archdiocese of Cincinnati Archives.
Detailed Description of The Collection
Diocese of Toledo, 1934-1950
Appointment and Installation, 1950
Administrative Board and Board of Consultors, 1950-1969
Correspondence with Bishops, 1946-1974
Estates and Bequests, 1938-1969
National Catholic Welfare Conference (NCWC), 1950-1966
Parish Matrimonial and Other Cases, 1950-1969
Religious Communities, 1950-1969
Canonical Visitations, 1953-1964
Indults for Secularization, 1939-1970
Belmont Avenue General Files, 1950-1969
Belmont Avenue Parish Files, 1950-1969
Belmont Avenue Religious Communities, 1950-1969
Belmont Avenue Schools, 1950-1969
Belmont Avenue Seminaries, 1928-1974
Sermons and Writings, 1950-1974
Personal Files, 1930s-1974