Alexander Joseph McGavick

Alexander Joseph McGavick (August 22, 1863 – August 25, 1948) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Bishop of the Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin from 1921 until his death in 1948.

Alexander McGavick was born in Fox Lake, Illinois, to James and Catherine (née Watt) McGavick, who were Irish immigrants. After receiving his early education in the local public schools, he entered St. Viator College at Kankakee in 1879. He later graduated in 1887 with a Master of Arts degree. On June 11, 1887, he was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Patrick Feehan. He then served as a curate at All Saints Church in Chicago until 1897, when he became pastor of St. John's Church.

On December 2, 1898, McGavick was appointed auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago and titular bishop of Marcopolis by Pope Leo XIII. He received his episcopal consecration on May 1, 1899 from Archbishop Feehan, with Bishops Edward Joseph Dunne and Maurice Francis Burke serving as co-consecrators, at Holy Name Cathedral. In addition to his duties as an auxiliary bishop, he became pastor of Holy Angels Church in 1900.