Joseph Elmer Ritter (July 20, 1892 – June 10, 1967) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as archbishop of the Archdiocese of St. Louis in Missouri from 1946 until his death in 1967, and was created a cardinal in 1961. He previously served as auxiliary bishop (1933–1934) and bishop (later archbishop) (1934–1946) of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis in Indiana. Ritter was one of the cardinals elector who participated at the Papal Conclave,1963. Ritter is noted for ending racial discrimination in church schools in both of his archdioceses long before it became mandatory in the United States. He also ended hospital segregation in the archdiocese of St. Louis, and supported the education of African-American students. Early life and education Born July 20, 1892, in New Albany, Indiana, Elmer Joseph Ritter was the fourth of Nicholas (1859–1944) and Bertha (née Luette) (1865–1941) Ritter's six children. His father owned and operated the Ritter Bakery (where the family also lived). Both of Ritter's parents were of German descent. As a 1946 newspaper article said "It was one of those shops, now rare, in which the whole family, the mother, father and the whole family had to help, either in the store part, which was in the front, or in the bakery which was in the rear." Ritter said his father had a great reverence of education, saying, "Dad gave us all a chance to go to college, but only if we applied ourselves."Ritter received his early education at the parochial school of St. Mary of the Annunciation Church in New Albany where he was called "Apple-Pie Ritter". Religious calling During the seventh grade, Ritter decided to enter the priesthood. Ritter said "There was no vision, no voice from heaven. I simply wanted to be a priest." In 1907, he enrolled at St. Meinrad's Seminary in Saint Meinrad, Indiana, where he completed his studies in 1917. Priesthood Ritter was ordained to the priesthood at the St. Meinrad Seminary's Abbey Church on May 30, 1917, by Bishop Joseph Chartrand. His first assignment was as a curate at St. Patrick's Parish in Indianapolis. Shortly afterwards, he was transferred to Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral Parish, also in Indianapolis where he served as assistant to the bishop in 1920 and rector of the cathedral in 1925 to 1933. In 1922, Ritter received an honorary doctorate of theology from Pope Pius XI. Indianapolis years