“Revolutionary beginnings shaped this sacred space”. That’s how we can introduce St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church. It stands as the oldest Catholic parish in New York State. This historic church has witnessed pivotal moments in American history. It continues to serve as a beacon of faith in the Financial District.
St. Peter’s Church’s story begins long before its current Greek Revival structure. Father Ferdinand Steinmeyer a German Jesuit missionary, ministered to New York City’s Catholics before and during the Revolution. He celebrated Mass wherever he could find space.
Dominick Lynch was a key figure in establishing the original St. Peter’s Church. He was a merchant from Galway. Lynch donated generously and raised funds for the new church. King Charles III of Spain also contributed significantly. He gifted 1000 silver pieces through Spanish dignitaries.
Initially Catholics wanted to build St. Peter’s Church on Broad Street. Anti-Catholic sentiments led city officials to suggest an alternate location. They proposed a site at Barclay and Church Streets. This was outside the city limits at the time. Construction began in 1785. The first Mass was held in 1786.
Mexican artist Jose Vallejo created an icon of the Crucifixion. The archbishop of Mexico City gifted it to St. Peter’s parish in 1789. It was hung above the main altar. Father William O’Brien served as the first pastor. He tirelessly served New Yorkers during the yellow fever epidemics.
St. Peter’s Church established the first free Catholic school in New York State in 1800. Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton converted to Catholicism at St. Peter’s in 1805. She often prayed before the Crucifixion painting. She was later canonized as the first native-born US citizen saint.
Christmas Eve vigil in 1806 sparked unrest. Protestants disrupted the Mass viewing it as “popish superstition”. Dozens were injured and one policeman was killed.
The cornerstone for the current St. Peter’s Church was laid in 1836. The structure was completed by February 1838. John R. Haggerty and Thomas Thomas designed it in the Greek Revival style. The church features six Ionic columns. Archbishop John Hughes officiated the opening.
From 1899 to 1916 St. Peter’s hosted services for Byzantine-rite Syrian and Lebanese Catholics. They did not have their own church at the time. Father Edward Frederick Sorin founder of the University of Notre Dame celebrated his first American Mass here in 1842.
During the September 11 2001 attacks St. Peter’s Church played a significant role. A piece of landing gear struck the roof. Father Mychal Judge a Fire Department chaplain was killed in the attacks. Firefighters brought his body to St. Peter’s and laid him before the altar. The church served as a staging area for rescue and recovery efforts.
In August 2015 St. Peter’s parish merged with Our Lady of the Rosary. St. Peter’s remains the designated parish church.
St. Peter’s houses a pipe organ built in 1927 by the George Kilgen & Sons company. It was enlarged in 1931. A restoration was completed 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. A theory suggests that Billy The Kid was christened at St. Peter’s Church.
St. Peter’s Church stands as a testament to faith resilience and community service. Its history reflects the history of New York City and the United States. It is a landmark that has witnessed both tragedy and triumph.