Catholic Church. Diocese of Marquette (Mich.)

In 1853 the area of Upper Michigan came under the jurisdiction of the missionary Frederic Baraga, Vicar Apostolic. In 1857 the Vicariate became the Diocese of Sault Saint Marie, with the transfer of the see to Marquette coming in 1864. Baraga served as first bishop and Ignatius Mrak (1818-1901) as his Vicar-General. Mrak, born in Austria and ordained in 1837, arrived in the Diocese of Detroit in 1845.

He worked first at the Indian mission at Arbre Coche with Rev. Francis Pierz (1785-1880), who had come to the United States from Carniola (Slovenia) in 1834. Later he served mission stations at La Croix, Middletown, Castor Island, and Manitee. Mrak became the second Bishop of Marquette in 1869. In 1878 he resigned, was appointed Titular Bishop of Antinoe, and returned to his work in the Indian missions.

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