Most Reverend James J. Keane
1902-1911

James John Keane, third bishop of Cheyenne (1902-1911), raised in Minnesota and a priest of St. Paul, came to Wyoming at a time when economic conditions were rapidly improving after a decade of depression.  Population increased 60% between 1900 and 1910.  Newly opened irrigated lands and new methods of dry farming, increased coal and iron mining, timber cutting, and exploration of vast oil and natural gas reserves, attracted immigrants.  Bishop Keane undertook the task of bringing order to the diocesan administration and incorporated the diocese according to the laws of the state of Wyoming.  Pastors were instructed to incorporate the parishes, each to have a board, which included the bishop, the pastor and two lay trustees.  Soon after its foundation in 1905 Bishop Keane appealed to the Catholic Church Extension Society which became a generous and never failing channel of funds for the benefit of the Church in Wyoming.  Bishop Keane directed the building of a residence and a cathedral in Cheyenne, laying the cornerstone of the cathedral July 7, l907.  On August 11, l911 Bishop Keane was named archbishop of Dubuque.