Bio: Reding, William Rev. (1932)

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Surnames: REDING MCGAVICK BROWNE ZARDETTI

----Sources: COLBY PHONOGRAPH (Colby, Clark County, Wis.) 11 Feb 1932

Reding, William Rev. (1932)

Rev. William Reding, pastor of S.S. Peter and Paul’s church, Wisconsin Rapids, formerly of Colby, was invested as a domestic prelate Monday, Feb. 8th, at 10 A.M. in his church at Wisconsin Rapids. Most Rev. Alexander J. McGavick, bishop of LaCrosse, officiated at the investiture. The sermon was preached by Rev. Howard Browne of Kendall.

Father Reding was informed of his elevation to the rank of monsignor at a meeting of the diocesan consultors with Bishop McGavick on Jan. 13th.

Father Reding was born at La Rochelle in the grand duchy of Luxembourg, an independent country bordered by France, Germany and Belgium, on February 19, 1865. That same year his parents brought him to America. He attended school at Hastings, Minn., where they settled. He attended St. John’s University, Collegeville. He then attended Sacred Heart College (now Campion high school) at Prairie du Chien. He entered St. Francis seminary in 1888, and was ordained to the priesthood June 23rd, 1898, by the Rt. Rev. Otto Zardetti, for the diocese of LaCrosse.

Father Reding has filled pastorates at Eau Claire and missions at Plum City, and Farm Hill. In October, 1903, Father Reding was transferred to Colby, where he at once began construction of an $18,000 church which was dedicated May 21, 1905. On August 9, 1906, a new church was dedicated at Abbotsford, a mission which Father Reding attended from Colby.

On July 1, 1907, Father Reding was appointed pastor of S.S. Peter and Paul’s parish, Wisconsin Rapids. During his pastorate here, more than twenty-five years, the parish school was enlarged in 1913 and a further addition made in 1924. Before the enlarged school could be used, it burned down. In 1925, a new school, costing $100,000 was built. A new convent for the Sisters was completed in 1931 at a cost of $35,000.

Father Reding has been a diocesan consultor for many years. He has also been state chaplain of the Knights of Columbus, chairman of the home service section of the Red Cross, promoter of K.C. boy’s work and Father Prior of Circle No. 89 of Columbian Squires.

During his pastorate at Wisconsin Rapids, he has received more than 600 converts into the church.