Los Angeles County
Biographies
REV. JOSEPH SARSFIELD GLASS
GLASS, REV. JOSEPH SARSFIELD, Pastor St. Vincent’s Catholic Church, and president of the St. Vincent’s College, Los Angles, California. He was born at Bushnell, Illinois, March 13, 1874. He is the son of James Glass and Mary Edith Kelly.
He began his education in the Parochial Schools of Sedalia, Missouri, where he remained for several years. Going to Los Angeles in 1887, he entered St. Vincent’s College, which was later to become the scene of his greatest activities and achievements. He remained at St. Vincent’s for a period of four years, then returned to Missouri and entered the St. Mary’s Apostolic College of Perryville, Missouri. After completing his course of study in that institution he entered the Novitiate of the Congregation of the Mission in 1891 and later became a student at St. Mary’s Seminary in Perry County, Missouri, in which institution he made his course in Philosophy and Theology. He was ordained a priest by Bishop George Montgomery in St. Vincent’s church, Los Angeles, August 15, 1897.
After finishing his education in the United States he went to Rome, where, with its predominant religious atmosphere and its connections with the historic Catholic Church and monuments of ancient and Christian Rome, he became a student of philosophy and theology. He attended the University of the Propoganda, and graduated from the University of the Minerva in 1899 with the degree of D. D.
On returning to the United States in the same year he became a faculty member of the St. Mary’s Seminary at Perryville. His specialty at that institution was Dogmatic Theology, which subject he taught during the school term of 1899 and 1900. During the following year he taught Moral Theology at the same seminary, and while he was connected with it he filled the office of Director of Seminarians.
Dr. Glass was appointed President of St. Vincent’s College, Los Angeles, in June, 1901. At the same time he was made pastor of St. Vincent’s Church of that city, both of which responsible positions he still occupies.
Since taking charge of St. Vincent’s College, Father Glass has raised the standard of that institution to an exceedingly high mark, and today it ranks among the first educational institutions of the West.
Shortly after he became president of that college the attendance greatly increased and it was necessary to build a large addition to the college building. He has given St. Vincent’s College a full university course and has introduced both civil and mechanical engineering branches.
Dr. Glass is recognized as one of the foremost educators in Southern California. He has written some notable articles on educational and religious subjects. By reason of his interests in many educational, religious and literary organizations Dr. Glass holds memberships in a number of organizations of national scope. He is a member of Bishop Conaty’s Diocesan Council, of the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Public Library, and is Honorary President of the Alumni Society of St. Vincent’s College. He is also Chaplain of the Central Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
He holds memberships in the University Club, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Order of Foresters, Young Men’s Institute and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
Dr. Glass is actively concerned in the affairs of all of these organizations and his counsel is an important factor in the guidance of their members.
Transcribed
by Joyce Rugeroni.
Source: Press
Reference Library, Western Edition Notables of the West, Vol. I, Page 760,
International News Service, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles,
Boston, Atlanta. 1913.
© 2011 Joyce
Rugeroni.
GOLDEN NUGGET'S LOS ANGELES BIOGRAPIES