Saint Peters Episcopal Church

Gazing at Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church, have you ever wondered about its beginnings? This wasn’t always an Episcopal church. Our story begins in the aftermath of World War II, in a time of transition and new beginnings. The Azure Vista Housing project, once served by a Lutheran pastor, became the seed from which Saint Peter’s would grow. When the Lutheran Synod withdrew, a team, including a key figure, John Titlow, sought a new location for a church. Three sites were considered. The final choice was this very spot at Sunset Cliffs and Adair Street, purchased for $7,000. The first service wasn’t held here at Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church. Instead, the Rev. Earl J. Johnson held it at the Thursday Club in 1946. Eight months later, it was named St. Peter’s by the Sea Lutheran Church. The congregation moved to the Azure Vista Community Building, then to Beardsley Mortuary’s chapel. Finally, in 1948, ground was broken on the site where Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church now stands. The original chapel, costing $25,000, was dedicated in November 1948. The growth was rapid, leading to a building fund campaign just two months later. A young pastor, Vlad Benko, arrived in 1949. During the 1950s, Saint Peter’s thrived under his leadership. Membership quadrupled, requiring two Sunday services and choirs. A parish hall was added in 1953, and the church was remodeled. The 1960s brought financial stability and a new educational building. St. Peter’s became self-supporting, no longer a mission church. The church continued to evolve through the 1970s, navigating changing times with new liturgies and outreach programs. The 1980s saw the church rebuilt with nautical themes, reflecting its name, St. Peter’s by the Sea. An endowment fund was established, and a preschool and senior center were added. The church sign we see today was also erected during this time. Several pastors have guided Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church through the years. The Rev. James Shimota introduced contemporary services. Pastor Timothy Sims brought new vitality before his untimely death in 2002. Karen Marohn became the first female pastor in 2003, focusing on spiritual development and community outreach. So, as you stand before Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church, remember the journey from a postwar housing project to the vibrant community it is today.