Bishop John F. Cunningham.

Long years of training and practical experience admirably qualify Bishop Cunningham for the responsibilities of his holy office.

For thirty-eight years he has given his entire time and attention to Christian labors for the spiritual welfare of his people.

Bishop Cunningham was born in the Parish of Irremore, County Kerry, Ireland, in July, 1842. His parents were John and Catherine (Fitzgerald) Cunningham. He received a preparatory course in the classical school of Listowel, Ireland, and graduated from St. Benedict's College, Atchison Kansas, in 1860. He then finished a theological course in St. Francis' Seminary, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (D.D.), and was ordained priest in the Leavenworth cathedral, Leavenworth, Kansas, August 8, 1865. He was the first Catholic resident pastor of Fort Scott, Kansas, he was there from 1865. until 1868, when he was transferred to St. John's church, Lawrence, June, 1868, where he built a new church and added very materially to their possessions, visited various parts of the east from 1873-6, collecting for Kansas sufferers and the Leavenworth cathedral debt. Bishop Cunningham was pastor of Assumption church, Topeka, Kansas, during 1876-82, and built the present handsome edifice there of that name, and also secured for that city valuable property for church purposes. January 1, 1881, he was made vicar general of the Leavenworth diocese and from 1882 to 1887 was rector of the Leavenworth cathedral, from which place he was consecrated bishop September 21, 1898.

Bishop Cunningham has witnessed a revolution in church work since his advent into the state. He has not only witnessed them develop but has been directly instrumental in the movement that has resulted in the springing up like magic of many costly and magnificent edifices.