Bernard Joseph Topel

Bernard Joseph Topel (March 31, 1903 – October 22, 1986) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Spokane from 1955 to 1978.

Bernard Topel was born in Bozeman, Montana, the fourth son of Henry Albert and Mary Pauline (née Hagen) Topel. His father was an East Prussian tailor who had come to the United States in 1878, and his mother had immigrated from Switzerland at age nine. He attended grade school in Bozeman and, after graduating from St. Charles High School in Helena, studied at Mount St. Charles College. He then studied theology at the Grand Seminary of Montreal in Quebec, Canada, before returning to the United States and entering the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He there earned a Master's degree in Education in 1927.

Topel was ordained to the priesthood in Helena on June 7, 1927. Furthering his studies, he then earned his Master's degree in Mathematics from Harvard University and afterwards his doctorate from the University of Notre Dame. From 1934 to 1937, he served at the missions in Toston and Wolf Creek. He then returned to the University of Notre Dame, where he taught mathematics for two years before returning to Montana. He joined the faculty of Mount St. Charles College (later known as Carroll College), there serving as professor of mathematics and physics. He also served as vocations director for the Diocese of Helena.

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