Bishop Winand M. Wigger, Newark, New Jersey (1841-1901)

WIGGER. Winand Michael, third Roman Catholic bishop of Newark, was born in New York City, Decemeber 9th, 1841, son of John J. and Elizabeth (Struck) Wigger. An inclination toward the church was manifested at an early age and as it was heartily approved by his parents, he entered the College of St. Francis Xavier, where he was graduated in 1800, and then began his theological studies at Seton Hall, South Orange, New Jersey, where he remained for two years. In September, 1862, he went to Italy to continue his studies at Genoa, in the Seminary of Brignole Sale, taking high rank among the students at the start. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1865, and returning to his native country, became an assistant at the cathedral in Newark, N. J.

In 1869, the University of Sapienza at Rome conferred upon him the degree of D.D., and from April, 1869, till May, 1873, he was rector of St. Vincent’s Church at Madison, N. J., then officiated for one year at St. John’s, Orange, and for two years at Summit, N. J., returning to Madison to occupy the same position, and to remain until 1881. In that year, Bishop Michael A. Corrigan was promoted coadjutor of New York, and the diocese of Newark, over which he had presided, was divided, the see of Trenton being formed. Dr. Wigger was appointed head of the diocese of Newark, and was consecrated in October, 1881. The twenty years of his administration were marked by great advances of the Catholic cause in his diocese, which now contains about 290,000 Roman Catholics, 155 churches, and 205 priests; besides 4 colleges, 19 seminaries for young ladies, 99 parochial schools, seven orphan asylums, and as many hospitals.

But the institution that will be most closely associated with his name will be the magnificent Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, at Newark. The site for this, a plot of ground commanding an extensive view and adjoining a park, was purchased by Archbishop Bayley, but a quarter of a century passed before decisive steps were taken to erect the edifice, and the honor of raising subscriptions sufficient to warrant the commencement of the work belongs to Bishop Wigger. The cathedral, designed in the continental Gothic style of the 13th century, will be one of the most stately and beautiful structures of its kind in the United States, and will have cost when completed, at least $1,000,000. It will afford seating accommodations for over 2.500 worshippers, besides eight chapels. An episcopal residence will adjoin the cathedral, and a new school and convent harmonizing with it in architecture will be erected also, thus forming a most imposing group of buildings. Bishop Wigger died at South Orange. X. J., Jan. 5, 1901.

The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography (Volume XII) (New York: James T. White & Company, 1904), 402-403.