BELLESHEIM, ALFONS. – Born in Monschau on 16 December 1839, died in Aachen on 5 January 1912; ordained a priest (1862), canon of Cologne (1886), provost canon of Aachen Cathedral (1902). Although he was engaged in pastoral work, he was able to advance his historical studies and left an admirable history of the Scottish Church (Geschichte der kath. Kirche in Schottland, 2 vols., Mainz 1883) and another on the Irish Church (Gesch. der Kath. Kirche in Irland, 3 vols., ibid. 1890–91); as well as well-regarded biographies of Cardinal Allen (1885), Mezzofanti (1880), and Manning (1892). He also fruitfully devoted himself to studies in Christian archaeology.
BBL.: G. Grisar, s. V. in DHC. VII, 877.