In 1851, several hundred Charlotteans, half of whom were not Catholics, watched the Rev. J.J. O’Connel lay the cornerstone for the original Saint Peter’s Catholic Church.

“Since the beginning Jesus has built his church on people whose faith was rock solid. They were a century ago. They still are.” -- Rev. John Haughey, SJ, former pastor of St. Peter’s Church

As Charlotte grew, residences were replaced with businesses. Urban St. Peter’s gradually found itself with fewer and fewer parishioners. In 1970 St. Peter’s ceased being a formal parish. Though masses were said, the day-to-day activities of a parish stopped.

In 1986, St. Peter’s Church regained full parish status. Father Haughey became pastor and the Rev. Eugene McCreesh, SJ, became parochial vicar. They tapped into the spiritual, relational and intellectual hungers of the growing parish.

“As far as we know, St. Peter’s is the oldest edifice remaining on Tryon Street. It’s a constant in an ever-changing urban landscape. St. Peters and its people are an anchor here… a rock.” -- Rev. John Haughey, SJ

The most recent interior renovation of the church included restoring the original wood flooring, creating natural wood window casings and beaded board wainscoting, and refinishing the ceiling of the church. The renovations included the addition of the fresco painted by Ben Long.

When those renovations were performed, St. Peter’s had 350 registered families. Today it boasts over 1,000.

The artwork that adorns the front of St. Peter’s was completed and installed by the artist, John Collier, in 2009 under the direction of Fr. Joe Sobierajski, SJ.

Concurrent with the installation of the new artwork, the need for an exterior renovation became evident. The photographs you see are proof of that need. These images were provided by Water’s Craftsmen and are reproduced with their permission.

After receiving approval from the Diocese in the summer of 2009, a contract was awarded to Preservation Trades (Va.). Repair work was underway in October, 2009, and was completed April, 2010.

The work being performed includes replacing rotted wood and painting the exterior woodwork (including the soffits, fascia, steeple louvers). Several gutters and downspouts are being replaced, and all window frames are being repainted and regrouted.

Soon after Fr. Pat Earl, SJ, joined St. Peter’s, he gave the newly formed Fundraising Committee approval to begin a Preservation Campaign Pledge Drive to off-set the cost of these extensive repairs.

“I pray the spirit of sharing in Jesus’ name will always fill the hearts of our people. Charlotte has heart, indeed she has, and we at St. Peter’s are happy to be involved.” -- Fr. Gene McCreesh, SJ