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Our Parish
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Mission
We at Saint Peter Parish of the Diocese of Lexington are a community of Catholic Christians committed to being the presence of Jesus Christ in this section of His vineyard. Under the leadership of our Pastor and the Bishop of Lexington, we strive to build a faith community that will worship together, support Christian education on every level, and serve the needs of those in the community.
We recognize that it is the Holy Spirit Who is "Building up the Body of Christ" as we work to grow in our community and live out our commitment to the Gospel.
Through our parish committees, we seek to identify and serve those in need, particularly the poor, elderly, sick, and distressed in our midst. -
Welcome from our Pastor
Welcome to Saint Peter Parish! As the pastor, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you to our parish website. The parish of Saint Peter is a vibrant community. Our family of faith has been a source of guidance, support, and sanctuary for thousands of God’s people in beautiful downtown Lexington for over 200 years.
We gather to worship, learn, reach out in service, and be Christ for one another. Come join us as we celebrate together in Christ.
There are many “ministries” and ways that our parishioners can give and receive. It is my sincere hope that as you get to know the community, you will be moved by the Spirit to find a way to “fit in” and make yourself at home. If you are new to Saint Peter and would like to register as a new parishioner, please click “registration” to fill out the form or to print a registration form that you can mail in, we will respond in writing. You can also pick up a registration form at the main entrance of the church should you wish to register in that fashion.
If there is any way that I might assist you or if you have any questions or concerns, I would encourage you to seek me out or any member of the parish staff. I am only a phone call or an “email” away and serving the needs of this portion of God’s Vineyard brings me great joy.
~Fr. Peter Joseph Kizhakkeparambil
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Parish History
- Parish Established (1812)
- New Church Building (1837)
- The Third Church Building (1929)
- Renovating the Church (1983-1987)
- Recent History (1997-Present)
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Parish Established, 1812, Third Street
Pioneer Catholics in Lexington worshipped in their homes and in a log chapel until the first church, Saint Peter, was built on Third Street next to the site now occupied by the Central Fire Station. Popular missionary priest, Father Stephen Badin, was responsible for building the church. The site, with its own cemetery, was then on the outskirts of town.
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New Church Building, 1837, North Limestone (Mulberry) Street
The population of Lexington and its Catholic community increased with the introduction of the railroad and other improvements. By 1837, Catholics moved into the second St. Peter Church at the corner of North Limestone (then Mulberry) and Third Streets.
Across the street, James Weir had begun construction of the mansion that is now Whitehall Funeral Home. The old Greyhound Bus Station was on the site that St. Peter occupied. The location and building of the church commenced the community's long and happy alliance with the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.
The Sisters had opened St. Catherine Academy on the Limestone property and sold the corner portion for construction of the church. In 1868, St. Paul Church was built on Short Street, and St. Peter was maintained as a mission.
When St. Peter was reinstated as a parish in 1909, the pastor, Fr. William Punch, immediately began what may be Lexington's longest fund drive! For twenty years, he collected 25¢ a week from his parishioners. Those funds contributed to the construction of the present St. Peter Church on Barr Street.
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The Third Church Building, 1929, Barr Street
Many of our established parishioners today at St. Peter can remember the dedication of the church on April 7, 1929 . Several changes have occurred since the beginning of the Barr Street complex: church, rectory, convent, and school.
Over time, school enrollment declined with the opening of other parishes, but the dedication of St. Peter's teachers and students continued. Religious Sisters no longer staffed the school, so the convent was closed. It reopened as St. Peter Education and Community Center (SPECC) in 1979.
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Renovating the Church, 1983 -1987
The three-year renovation project ($155,000) required liturgical approval from a Diocesan Commission and was carried out by the Renovation Committee of which Ella Pat Bausch was chairperson. The resulting beauty of the interior has elicited much praise from parishioners and visitors. Air-conditioning was added and the portal stone from the church on Limestone was erected on the front lawn to the right of the church entrance, and re-dedicated.
In the following years, the landscaping underwent many changes. The Sisters of Cardome in Georgetown, Kentucky, gave St. Peter Church the statues of Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Bernadette. Under the guidance of Fr. Paul Wethington and Mr. Jim Evans, a beautiful shrine was added to the east lawn of the church. Father Thomas Thai had a brick wall built beside the rectory, which, with its greenery, has greatly enhanced that area. A handsome wrought-iron fence and trees were added to the Pleasant Stone side of the property. A new church sign was designed and donated by Mr. Albert Oberst, a parishioner.
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1997 - Present
In 1997, the three downtown parishes (St. Peter, St. Paul , and St. Peter Claver) were assigned one pastor, Father Daniel Noll, and one associate pastor, Father Gino Donatelli, S.J. Each parish had a pastoral associate and deacons to assist with the parish ministry.
In 2004, Father A. Charles Savarimuthu, H.G.N., of the Heralds of Good News missionary order from India, was assigned as Sacramental Minister.
In July, 2006, Father Nicholas (Nick) Pagano was assigned as Parish Priest.
In July 2007, Father John List was assigned as Pastor and Pam Berger was designated as Pastoral Associate and the Director of Faith Formation.
In July 2019, Father Peter Joseph was assigned as Parish Pastor. In January 2020, Dcn. Scott Hunt assumed the role of Religious Education Coordinator after Pam Berger retired. St. Peter has four Deacons on staff: Deacon Bill Wakefield, Deacon Ted Fraebel, Deacon Scott Hunt, and Deacon Phil Latiff.
The St. Peter Parish rectory is home to the pastor and served as home to Fr. Ted Keller until his passing in 2018.
On November 18, 2010, the parish office moved to the renovated St. Peter Education and Community Center. And in January of 2011, the name of the building was changed to Wethington Parish Center in memory of our former pastor, Rev. Paul Wethington. As a parish center, it now houses the parish offices, classrooms, and meeting rooms.
The parish proudly celebrated its bicentennial celebration in 2012.
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Our patron saint, Peter the Apostle, was born as Simon, the son of Jona, in the town of Bethsaida on Lake Genesaret. The apostle Andrew was his brother, and the apostle Philip came from the same town.
Simon later settled in Capharnaum, where he was living with his mother-in-law in his own house at the beginning of Christ's public ministry (around 26-28 A.D.). Simon was thus married, and, according to Clement of Alexandria, had children. The same writer relates the tradition that Simon's wife suffered martyrdom.
In Capernaum, Simon pursued the profitable occupation of fisherman at Lake Genesaret, possessing his own boat. He was a disciple of Saint John the Baptist, at whose bidding he followed Jesus from the beginning of His ministry.
Very characteristic of Peter is his expression of true fidelity to Jesus Christ. After Jesus had spoken of the mystery of the reception of His body and blood, many of His disciples left Him. Jesus asked the twelve if they too would leave Him. Peter's answer came immediately: "Lord to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we have believed and have known, that thou art the Holy One of God" (John 6:68).
Because of his faith, fidelity, enthusiasm, and love, although he was somewhat irresolute of character, Jesus showered him with many favors. He gave him the name Peter, cured his mother-in-law, appointed him chief of the Apostolic band, and made him head of the Church. He also chose him as one of the witnesses of the raising of Jairus' daughter from the dead, of the Transfiguration, and of the "agony in the garden".
After Christ's resurrection, lest Peter's denial make him lose prestige, Our Lord renewed his commission as chief pastor of the flock. After His ascension, Peter, by virtue of this commission, repeatedly acted as spokesman and head of the infant Church.
Peter was arrested and imprisoned for his faith, but was soon delivered from imprisonment by an angel. After this, he left Jerusalem and began his Apostolic journeys. The Church as initially established at Antioch as the first Holy See. (His establishment at Rome is disputed, but that he did go to Rome and make it the center of the Church is considered evident from tradition, from his first Epistle, and from data found in the catacombs and ancient churches of Rome).
He died a martyr's death at Rome during the persecution of Nero by being crucified head downwards, according to legend, stating that he was not worthy to be crucified in the same manner as Our Lord. He was buried at the foot of the Vatican Hill near the Via Cornelia.
At the beginning of the Valerian persecution (258 A.D.), his remains were placed with those of Saint Paul in a catacomb on the Appian Way where the Church of Saint Sebastian now stands. They were restored to their original place of burial by Constantine the Great, who built a basilica over the grave at the foot of the Vatican Hill. This basilica was replaced by the present Saint Peter's, where half of his body now rests; the other half is in the Church of Saint Paul on the Ostian Way. His head is in the Lateran Church.
Saint Peter is the patron saint of Rome. His emblems in art and sculpture are a boat, keys, scroll, and a cock. His feast day is June 29. Representations of Saint Peter are found in Christian art as early as the second century. He is shown as a man of energy, with short curly hair and beard, receiving the scroll of the law with veiled hands. He is the only apostle represented with a wand or staff, and in the fifth century, he is first shown with keys which afterward became customary.
From New Advent
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In January 2015, Michael evaluated the stained glass windows. A full report with pictures of every window is available in the church office.
In July 2015, Michael Mezalick of Mezalick Design Studio in Philadelphia completed repairs on two of the stained glass windows at St. Peter. The Herald-Leader Newspaper did an article on the stained glass work. A link to the article is available to the left.
Eight of St. Peter’s stained glass windows were refurbished in August 2016 in the second phase of repairs by Mezalick Design Studio. The last five windows were restored in April 2017, completing the window restoration project. Thank you for all the generous donations in restoring our beautiful worship space for others to enjoy for generations to come.
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