David William Bacon

David William Bacon was named the first Bishop of the Diocese of Portland and was consecrated as bishop in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York on April 22, 1855. Ordained to the priesthood in 1838, he worked in the Diocese of Brooklyn until becoming the Bishop of Portland. When Bishop Bacon arrived in Maine, there were only eight churches in the Diocese of Portland. During his tenure, the first Catholic schools were established in Portland, Bangor and North Whitefield, and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception opened in 1869. Bishop Bacon remained bishop until his death on November 5, 1874.