Joseph Pinten was born in Rockland, Michigan and grew up in Calumet, Michigan. In 1881 he entered St. Francis Seminary, and completed his studies in Rome, Italy. Pinten was ordained to the Catholic priesthood on November 1, 1890 in Rome for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan. He served at several parishes and then was appointed as rector of St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette. In 1912 Father Pinten was named vicar general of the diocese. Later that year Pope Pius X honored him with the title of domestic prelate. He directed the construction of Holy Family Orphan's Home in Marquette, and headed the orphanage from 1916 to 1922. While serving as vicar general, in 1919 purchased dormitory property of Northern Normal College and donated it to the diocese to use as a church with conditions that it be named after Saint Michael and that the new parish build a school.
Bishop of Superior, Wisconsin
On November 30, 1921, Pope Benedict XV appointed Pinten the third bishop of the Superior Diocese. He was ordained bishop on May 3, 1922 at St. Peter Cathedral with Archbishop Sebastian Messmer of Milwaukee presiding. The next day an enthronement ceremony was held a Sacred Heartpro-cathedral in Superior. After his arrival in Superior, Bishop Pinten purchased a home for himself near the city center. When he learned that a local community of sisters was living in an overcrowded residence, he had his home remodeled and quietly turned it over to the Sisters. He oversaw numerous building and expansion projects throughout the diocese. Ground breaking for the new cathedral began on June 23, 1926. In his last official act as Bishop of Superior, Bishop Pinten blessed and laid the cornerstone for the Cathedral of Christ the King in Superior on October 24, 1926. The next day he left for his new appointment at Grand Rapids.
On June 25, 1926, Pope Pius XI appointed him the fourth bishop of the Grand Rapids Diocese. He was installed there on October 28, 1926. On November 1, 1940, Bishop Pinten resigned on his 50th priestly ordination anniversary. He moved back to Marquette, Michigan where he died in on November 6, 1945.
