Parish History

St. Peter's Parish, in the "Pantown Section" of St. Cloud, had it's beginnings in 1946 when Rev. Ralph Aschoff (Click Here for photo) was asked by Bishop Peter Bartholome to take a census of this section of the town.  He wanted to see if there was any interest in establishing a new parish. Rev. Aschoff contacted the family of Fred Hughes to get their opinion.  Everyone he talked to seemed happy to hear of the proposal, because at that time they were members of Holy Angels, which was some distance away.  He reported his findings to the Bishop, but nothing was done for over a year.

In 1947 a meeting was called for Pantown people to gather input for a new parish.  The following was decided: (1) Everyone wanted a new parish, (2) The average pledge was $50 per family, (3) Holy Angels Parish would give a dowry of $5000, and (4) Rev. Aschoff would spearhead the project.  A search for an existing chapel was fruitless, but Mr. Hughes submitted pictures and plans for a Quonset building to be used as a temporary alternative.  Plans were approved by the Bishop. St. Peter's became an official parish on November 15, 1947 with Rev. Aschoff as the pastor.  He suggested the name "St. Peter in Chains", but the Official Decree reads St. Peter.

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History Timeline of St. Peter's Church and School

November 15, 1947

• Promulgation of Decree

Fall, 1947

• A bus was purchased to carry students to Holy Angels' School

May, 1948

• Cornerstone laid for new church

July, 1948

• Census count was 48 families

July, 18, 1948

• Bishop Bartholome blessed and dedicated the new church

Fall, 1949

• Moved classes to St. John Cantius' School and rented four upstairs rooms

August 29, 1949

• 148 students and four teachers (Benedictine Sisters)

October 27, 1949

• First school board meeting

October 31, 1949

• Statue of St. Peter received from Germany

January, 1953

• Rev. Raymond Lang was appointed Pastor

Fall, 1953

• Classroom rented at St. Peter's school, number of students was at 212

October 2, 1953

• Ground broken for school

April 20, 1954

• Cornerstone laid for school

Fall, 1954

• Census taken revealed 300 families and 258 students

October 19,1954

• New school dedicated

May, 1957

• 265 students and 16 teachers

1959

• New addition built on to school, gymnasium became new church

1967

• Church Sanctuary was remodeled

November 17, 1980

• Convent remodeled to become Crosier residence and rectory

1983

• New bell tower erected

1989

• 950 families at St. Peter's, 600 students, and 60 teachers at the school

June 30, 1994

• Crosiers leave St. Peter's - Diocesan Priests return

1994

• 988 families, 732 students K - 12

1994

• New light and upgrade for parking lots, doors and restroom for handicapped.

1997

• Built new Parish Center and remodeled church

1998

• Remodeled Pastor's living space in rectory and moved Faith Formation Coordinator and Secretary to the rectory. The Quonset was removed from the grounds and lawn and shrubs replaced it.

1999

•"You are the Rock of St. Peters" adopted as the parish slogan and the Rock Garden Created. Click for picture

 


A look at St. Peter's Pastors

Click on their name to see a photograph from when they served.

1947 - 1953

Rev. Ralph Aschoff

1953 -1969

Rev. Raymond Lang

1969 - 1980

Rev. Bernard Kahlhamer

1980 - 1989

Rev. Neil Emon, OSC

1989 - 1992

Rev. Jude Verley, OSC

1992 - 1994

Rev. Tom Carkhuff, OSC

1994 - 2007

Rev. Greg Lieser

1994 - 2007

Rev. Alan Wielinski

 

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