About St Peters Episcopal Church
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Mission Statement
To provide a loving, spiritual community believing in worship, hospitality,
education and service.
The history of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church began in 1823, when a priest known to us only as “The Rev. Mr. Hopkins,” from the Diocese of New Jersey conducted the first services in the village of Niagara Falls. A few people began to assemble for worship in the small school house near the Falls. In January 1829, a church was formed called “Christ Church” with Wardens Samuel DeVeaux and Samuel Hooker. That same year Bishop John Henry Hobart preached the first sermon in Union Chapel on the extreme western frontier of his diocese, the entire state of New York. Union Chapel was built to be shared by the Methodists, Presbyterians, Episcopalians and others in “proportion to their respective contributions.”
In 1847, Christ Church changed its name to St. Peter’s Church at the suggestion of Samuel DeVeaux. The new name honored the First Apostle as well as General Peter B. Porter, whose heirs donated two village lots on the east side of First Street between Falls and Niagara Streets as sites for the church and rectory. The church was consecrated on May 3, 1858 by Bishop Delancey of Western New York.
After the Civil War, St. Peter’s Parish outgrew the church on First Street. In 1872, the Vestry commissioned architect Henry Dudley of New York City and this excellent example of a pure Gothic building was built. Noted Niagara Falls residents of the building committee were Daniel J. Townsend, Dexter R. Jerauld, Solon M. N. Whitney, and the rector, the Rev. Myron A. Johnson.
The laying of the cornerstone took place in 1873, while the construction of the new church extended over a period of several years. In 1880, the first service was held on All Saint’s Day. Bishop A. Cleveland Coxe consecrated this building that year. The adjoining Guild Hall was completed in 1901.
The members of St. Peter’s cherish our past, which is deeply rooted in the history of the Niagara Frontier. We also look to the future. God willing, there will be many more historic years and events to be recorded as the faithful continue to bear witness to Jesus Christ and His love in this community.
