Martin Dewey McNamara

Martin Dewey McNamara (May 12, 1896—May 23, 1966) was an American clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church. He was the first Bishop of Joliet, Illinois (1949-1966).

Biography

Martin McNamara was born in Chicago, Illinois, to John Lawrence and Mary (née Hogan) McNamara. He was educated at St. Bride's School, Cathedral College, St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, and The Catholic University of America. He was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal George Mundelein on December 23, 1922. He became a professor at Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary in 1925, and was a chaplain at St. Vincent Infant Hospital from 1932 to 1937. He was made pastor of St. Francis Xavier Church in Wilmette in 1937, and named a domestic prelate in 1946.

On December 17, 1948, McNamara was appointed the first Bishop of the newly-erected Diocese of Joliet by Pope Pius XII. He received his episcopal consecration on March 7, 1949 from Cardinal Samuel Stritch, with Bishops John Joseph Boylan and Albert Rudolph Zuroweste serving as co-consecrators. He was too ill to attend the Second Vatican Council. He later died at age 70.