Michael Heiss (April 12, 1818 – March 26, 1890) was a German-born prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as the first bishop of the Diocese of La Crosse in Wisconsin (1868–1880) and the second archbishop of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee in Wisconsin (1881–1890). Biography Early years Michael Heiss was born on April 12, 1818, in Pfahldorf in the Kingdom of Bavaria (now part of present-day Kipfenberg, Germany), to Joseph and Gertrude (née Frei) Heiss. He received confirmation when he was only two years old because his parents feared they would be without a bishop for a prolonged period of time due to tension between church and state. Heiss entered a Latin school at age 9, and later graduated from the gymnasium of Neuburg, Bavaria, in 1835. Heiss then entered the University of Munich, where he originally studied law but switched to theology after deciding to join the priesthood. He completed his studies at the ecclesiastical seminary in Eichstätt, Bavaria. Ordination and ministry Heiss was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Louisville by Bishop Karl-August von Reisach on October 18, 1840. Because, at age 22, he was younger than the age requirement for ordination, he was granted a dispensation by Pope Gregory XVI.Heiss briefly served as a curate in Raitenbuch, Bavaria and afterwards in Pleinfeld, Bavaria. In December 1842, Heiss emigrated to the United States, where he became pastor of Mother of God Parish in Covington, Kentucky. He remained in Covington until 1844, when he went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to served as secretary to Archbishop John Henni in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Heiss erected St. Mary's Parish in Milwaukee, and served as its first pastor with his charge extending over an area of 52 square miles.In 1856, he was named the first rector of St. Francis Seminary, serving for 12 years. Bishop of La Crosse The Diocese of La Crosse was erected in 1868 as suffragan diocese to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Heiss was appointed its first bishop on March 3, 1868 by Pope Pius IX. Heiss was consecrated on September 6, 1868 by Archbishop John Martin Henni. After his consecration, Heiss hired architect Charles I. Ross to design St. Joseph Cathedral. The new parish had already been planned to serve the German speaking Catholics of La Crosse and ease over-crowding at St. Mary's. In 1870, Heiss traveled to Rome to attend the First Vatican Council. In 1871,