Deep within the heart of Dallas, Our Lady Queen of Peace Church stands as a testament to faith. Our Lady Queen of Peace Church began its journey in 1920. That year the cornerstone for the first church was laid. It was a moment of great hope. Our Lady Queen of Peace was consecrated, marking the beginning of a vibrant parish community.
Just five years later in September 1925, Queen of Peace Grammar School opened. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Chestnut Hill staffed it. Within two years, enrollment grew significantly. By 1934, Queen of Peace High School celebrated its first graduating class. The parish quickly realized that their original church was too small.
The original church was converted into classrooms. A second church found its home on the ground floor of the school building. However, the growing parish needed a larger, more permanent space. Msgr. Peter B. O’Connor, the first pastor of Queen of Peace Parish, spearheaded an ambitious expansion.
Msgr. O’Connor envisioned a church in the Georgian Colonial style. Plans were drawn up in the late 1940s. In September 1951, the cornerstone of the present-day Our Lady Queen of Peace Church was laid. The church’s spire rises 165 feet. At its peak is an aluminum cross. It contains a relic of the true Cross. Just below, the bell tower houses a 5000-pound bell. Louvers conceal it on all four sides. The tower’s three stages symbolize the Holy Trinity. The first stage is made of Briar Hill stone. This mirrors the cornerstone of Christ.
Inside Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, the Georgian Colonial style continues. Ionic pilasters and neo-classical embellishments adorn the interior. One of the most impressive features is the gilt tester. At the top is an ornate version of the seal of Our Lady. Below is a dove representing the Holy Spirit. A gilt crucifix hangs from above. It sits behind the main altar.
The nave features twelve main windows. They celebrate the history of Roman Catholicism in the New World. These windows remind us of the contributions of Catholics to this nation. These windows highlight their contributions to this hemisphere.
Our Lady Queen of Peace Church has a rich history. On June 17, 1922, Bishop O’Connor appointed Rev. Peter B. O’Connor as the first Pastor. Fr. O’Connor celebrated his first Mass on June 25, 1922. He was met with a small but enthusiastic congregation. He also inherited a debt of $34000.
The new pastor recognized the need for a parish hall. Volunteers gathered on August 9, 1922, to begin excavation. The hall measured 34 X 102 feet. It was completed and opened with a bazaar on November 27, 1922.
The hall served as a space for parish recreation. But the pastor had a school in mind. Parish Hall became the first Queen of Peace school building. It opened to 80 pupils on September 9, 1925. The Sisters of Saint Joseph formed the faculty. Six Sisters came to open the school. Our Lady Queen of Peace Church stands tall. It is a sign of faith and community. It is a testament to the vision of its founders.