van de Vyver, Augustine
VAN DE VYVER, AUGUSTINE
Sixth bishop of Richmond, VA; b. Haesdonck, East Flanders, Belgium, Dec. 1, 1844; d. Richmond, Oct. 16, 1911. Following his graduation from the American College at Louvain, he was ordained at Brussels, July 24, 1870. He served as assistant at St. Peter's Cathedral, Richmond, pastor of St. Peter's Church, Harper's Ferry, WV, and vicar–general of the Richmond diocese from 1881 to 1889. On Oct. 20, 1889, he was consecrated bishop at St. Peter's Cathedral, succeeding John J. Keane. The Catholic population of his diocese more than doubled during Van de Vyver's episcopate. He founded 9 parishes; built 27 churches, including Sacred Heart Cathedral, Richmond; and founded two preparatory, four industrial, and four parochial schools. His resignation, submitted to the Holy See in 1908, was withdrawn upon the petition of his clergy and people.
Bibliography: f. j. magri, The Catholic Church in the City and Diocese of Richmond (Richmond 1906).
[j. h. bailey]