About Our Patron

Father Spetz was one of the first settlers in this area of Waterloo County. He served as an educator for 32 years, was the founder of Waterloo's first parish, second president of St. Jerome's college, and was an official of the Children's Aid Society during his 72 years of life.

He was born in upper end of Waterloo Township in 1850 to his father Joseph. In 1866 Father Louis Funken moved his St. Jerome's College from St. Agatha to Berlin (now Kitchener) and Father Spetz was one of his first students. In 1870 he went to St. Agatha to join the novitiate under Father Eugene Funken. In 1872 he journeyed to Rome to begin his studies for the priest-hood. On September 23rd he was ordained into the Congregation of Ressurectionists and returned to St. Jerome's college. In 1890 he became the president of the college.

In 1890 Father Spetz undertook the establishment of a Catholic Congregation in Waterloo, which became St. Louis Church, with Father Spetz as it's first pastor. In 1898 he resigned his presidency of the college, and in 1911 he assumed charge of St. Mary's Parish in Waterloo.

In 1915 he resigned the rector-ship, and assisted in parochial work in Waterloo and Berlin. On December 1st, 1921 he passed away.

Addition information about Fr. Spetz and the history of the Catholic Church in the Waterloo Area can be found in the book: The Catholic Church in Waterloo County written by Fr. Spetz.