The History of St. Peter Catholic Parish

“You are Peter and on this rock, I will build my church…”
                                                                                                   Matthew 16:18

Bishop Bernard Topel established St. Peter Parish in 1956 and groundbreaking for the site was held March 30, 1956. Father Armand LaVerdiere pressed his shovel into the earth only to hit rock “in an otherwise rock-free turf”. While the structure was being built, Mass was held at the Lincoln Heights Community Center at 26th & Ray. The parishioners sat on folding chairs and knelt on concrete. The community center lacked an inspirational appeal; there were basketball hoops and backboards and it was cold enough in the winter months to freeze the holy water in the font.

St. Peter Parish was officially dedicated on October 20th, 1957, and was the first Catholic parish in the diocese to be named after one of the Apostles; it was nicknamed “The Fisherman’s Parish”. The original structure included a four classroom portion for the first four grades and a combination hall/gym that could be used for church services as well as school activities. The school opened its doors to 107 students in September 1958. In addition to opening the school, parishioners purchased and remodeled a private home to serve as a temporary convent for the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon who instructed the children. The men of the parish also built a playground for the children. The parish topped off the year of hard work with the first annual “St. Peter Salmon Bake”. St. Peter School was finally completed in 1962 when volunteers donated time and money to add additional classrooms for the other four grades.

Over the next thirty years, the parish continued to grow in size, and eventually outgrew the initial building. In 1992, Father Mike Savelesky, along with an enthusiastic building committee, began plans to erect the present St. Peter Church. Again, parishioners gave unselfishly of their time, talent and treasure. Thousands of volunteer hours helped to keep costs down, and a rich and faithful community became even more enriched. From a tract of land three city blocks in size and a parish community of 232 families, St Peter has grown to serve over 900 families and has been blessed with ministry, generosity and compassion.

Current St. Peter Pastors

• Rev. Lucas E. Tomson
• Senior Pastor Rev. Michael D. Venneri

Former St. Peter Pastors

• ​​Rev. Jeffrey R. Lewis
• Rev. Brian A. Mee
• Rev. Joe Bell
• Rev. Eugene Tracy
• Rev. Michael Savelesky
• Rev. George Haspedis
• Rev. Joseph Brunner
• Rev. Armand LaVerdiere

Other Priets Who Have Served At St. Peter

• Rev. Marvin Lavoy
• Rev. John Osterman
• Rev John Birk

Current and Former Deacons

• Deacon Victor Lopez
• Deacon Nick Senger
• Deacon Roy Dahl
• Deacon John Ruscheinsky
• Deacon Donald Schuster
• Deacon Steve Prawdzik
• Deacon Jack Crandall