Frederick Rese

Who was Frederick Rese?

Frederick Rese was an American Roman Catholic bishop who served as the first Catholic bishop of diocese of Detroit from 1833 to 1837.

Rese was previously vicar general of the Diocese of Cincinnati, which included Detroit, where he helped to found the Leopoldine Society to support Catholic missions in the United States. For this reason he visited Vienna, Belgium, and other parts of Europe from 1829 until 1831, convincing many to immigrate to the U.S. and found Catholic communities. When Pope Gregory XVI created the Diocese of Detroit and made Rese the first German-born bishop in the United States. He was consecrated October 6, 1833, and brought the Order of Poor Ladies to Detroit. He also established Detroit's first convent, and a school for girls. He became demented four years later and was recalled to Rome.