Theobald Spetz CR, DD

The grandson of the first Roman Catholic from Europe to settle in the Erbsville area, Thoebald Spetz graduated from St. Jerome’s College in 1870, studied and taught at St. Mary’s College, Kentucky, and in Rome, being ordained a priest in 1877. He returned to St. Jerome’s in 1878 and remained as professor of history, disciplinarian and president until 1901.

In 1890 he established a Catholic congregation in Waterloo and in 1911 assumed charge of St. Mary’s in Berlin. Father Spetz had an active interest in public life and was a valued member of the Children’s Aid Society and vice-president of the Waterloo Historical Society when it was founded. He was a man of erudition, critical judgement and unbiased views.

Following many years of research in 1916 his scholarly book The Catholic Church in Waterloo County, 1850-1916″ was published.