George W. Ahr

George William Ahr (June 23, 1904 – May 5, 1993) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Trenton from 1950 to 1979.

Biography

George Ahr was born in Newark, New Jersey, and attended St. Ann's Grammar School and St. Benedict's Preparatory School.^[1] He then studied at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania and, returning to New Jersey, at Seton Hall University in South Orange.^[1] After completing his theological studies in Rome at the Pontifical North American College, he was ordained to the priesthood on July 29, 1928.^[2] He later earned a doctorate in sacred theology in 1929.^[1]

Following his return to the United States, Ahr did pastoral work in the Archdiocese of Newark, where he first served as a curate at St. Mary's Church in Jersey City.^[1] He later served at St. Venantius Church in Orange until 1930, when he became a professor at Seton Hall Preparatory School.^[1] He was named professor of dogmatic theology (1933) and later rector (1947) at Immaculate Conception Seminary.^[1]

On January 28, 1950, Ahr was appointed the seventh Bishop of Trenton by Pope Pius XII.^[2] He received his episcopal consecration on the following March 20 from Archbishop Thomas J. Walsh, with Bishops Bartholomew J. Eustace and Thomas A. Boland serving as co-consecrators.^[2] During his tenure, he increased the number of Catholics from 300,000 to 850,000, and founded 50 parishes and dedicated 100 new churches, 90 schools, and over 60 other buildings.^[1] He attended the Second Vatican Council from 1962 to 1965. He perceived a growing anti-clericalism in the United States,^[3] and opposed the Christian Layman's Experimental Organization.^[4]

After twenty-nine years as bishop, Ahr retired on June 23, 1979; he was the longest-serving bishop of Trenton.^[2] He later died at Morris Hall Home of the Aged in Lawrenceville, aged 88.^[1]

Bishop George Ahr High School in Edison is named in his honor.

References

Diocese of Trenton
Ordinaries	Bishops Michael J. O'Farrell James A. McFaul Thomas J. Walsh John J. McMahon Moses E. Kiley William A. Griffin George W. Ahr John C. Reiss John M. Smith David M. O'Connell
Churches	Cathedral Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, Trenton Parishes Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Moorestown Sacred Heart Church, Trenton St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church, Medford Lakes
Education	Primary schools St. Paul's School High schools Donovan Catholic High School, Toms River Holy Cross Academy, Delran Mater Dei High School, New Monmouth Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville Red Bank Catholic High School, Red Bank St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel St. Rose High School, Belmar Trenton Catholic Academy, Hamilton Primary schools, independent Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart High schools, independent Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, Princeton Villa Victoria Academy, Ewing Township
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