Karol Langner was born June 28, 1843 in Piekary Slask and was a schoolmate of Jan Pitass. On July 23, 1869, Bishop Ignatius Mrak ordained him a priest in Marquette, MI. He was subsequently assigned a pastorate in Escabana, MI, a tenure which he held for twelve years. (At that time, a sizeable Polish community was forming in this area.)

In 1885, Langer was reassigned to serve as pastor of a German community near Houghton. From 1899 until his death in January 1912, he worked at St. Paul's Parish in Negaunee.

Langner distinguished himself in his priestly work and was consequently appointed a domestic prelate by Pope Leo XIII in 1900, the same year Bishop Eis named him vicar general to the Marquette Diocese.