William Stang

William Stang (April 21, 1854 – February 2, 1907) was a German-born prelate of the Catholic Church. He served as the first Bishop of Fall River from 1904 until his death in 1907.

Biography

William Stang was born at Langenbrücken in the Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany. He received his early education at the local gymnasium and then attended the minor seminary of Saint-Nicolas in Belgium. He entered the American College of Louvain in 1875, where he completed his theological studies. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 15, 1878.

Stang briefly taught at the Catholic University of Leuven before coming to the United States in September 1878 to work in the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island. He primarily ministered to the local German Catholic community while also serving as a curate at the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul in Providence. He was named pastor of St. Anne's Church in Cranston in 1884. He then served as rector of Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral until 1895, when he returned to the Catholic University of Leuven to serve as vice-rector and professor of moral theology. He returned to Providence in 1899, becoming head of the diocesan mission band. He was named pastor of St. Edward's Church in 1901 and also served as chancellor of the diocese.