Ready to explore a piece of New York’s oldest Catholic history? Saint Peter’s Church stands before us. It is not just a building. It is a landmark with stories etched into its very foundation.
Saint Peter’s Church holds the distinction of being the oldest Catholic parish in New York State. Its story began long before the skyscrapers. Imagine a time when anti-Catholic sentiments ran high. The original church faced resistance when it tried to set up on Broad Street. City officials nudged them to Barclay and Church Streets. It was then outside city limits.
The cornerstone of that original Saint Peter’s Church was laid in 1785. The first Mass was celebrated in 1786. Dominick Lynch helped to fund the new church. He raised funds from his native Galway. King Charles III of Spain donated 1,000 silver pieces. He supported the construction through Diego de Gardoqui and Francisco de Murillo i Martinez.
Mexican artist Jose Vallejo gifted an icon of the Crucifixion in 1789. It hung above the main altar. Father William O’Brien served the citizens during the yellow fever epidemics. Saint Peter’s established the first free Catholic school in New York State in 1800.
Elizabeth Ann Seton converted to Catholicism here in 1805. She later became the first native-born United States citizen canonized as a saint. She often prayed before the Crucifixion painting.
Christmas Eve in 1806 saw a clash. Protesters tried to disrupt Mass at Saint Peter’s. They saw it as “popish superstition”. The resulting melee left dozens injured and one policeman dead.
By October 1836, the cornerstone for a larger Saint Peter’s Church was laid. The current structure was completed by February 1838. John R. Haggerty and Thomas Thomas designed it in the Greek Revival style. It features six Ionic columns. Archbishop John Hughes officiated the opening. From 1899 to 1916, Saint Peter’s hosted Byzantine-rite Syrian and Lebanese Catholics. They did not have their own church then.
Father Edward Frederick Sorin founder of the University of Notre Dame celebrated his first Mass in America here in 1842.
Tragedy struck on September 11, 2001. A piece of an airplane’s landing gear hit Saint Peter’s roof during the attacks. Father Mychal Judge chaplain for the New York City Fire Department died in the attacks. Firefighters brought his body to Saint Peter’s. They laid him before the altar.
Saint Peter’s became a staging ground for rescue efforts. Bandages gas masks and food piled high. Volunteers slept in the church. Authorities blocked public access. Masses were held only for rescue workers.
The World Trade Center cross temporarily stood outside Saint Peter’s. It was later moved to the 9/11 Memorial. A new cross was installed on August 11 2011. It symbolized the neighborhood’s resurrection.
Saint Peter’s merged with Our Lady of the Rosary in August 2015. Saint Peter’s is the designated parish church.
Saint Peter’s houses a pipe organ built in 1927. George Kilgen & Sons company built it. It was enlarged in 1931. Meloni & Farrier Organbuilders restored it in 2011.
Pierre Toussaint a Haitian born into slavery was a notable parishioner. He was known for his generosity. Elizabeth Ann Seton also converted here. Some believe Billy The Kid was christened here as Patrick Henry McCarthy.
Saint Peter’s Church has witnessed pivotal moments in history. It has been a place of worship a refuge and a symbol of hope. Its story continues to evolve. It reflects the ever-changing landscape of New York City.