Rector
History
Ministry Catalog
Calendar of Events
Vestry, Staff and Contacts
About the Cross of St. Peter
Cross & Keys Newsletter
Our 160-year-old rose
Origin:
St. Peter's Church was founded by eleven men on May 9, 1817. The first rector was the Rev. Philander Chase, who was elected bishop of Ohio two years later. The first church meetings were held in a private home, with the cornerstone of the first church building being laid on May 1, 1825. The original church building was completed on the present site in 1826, and the first resident rector was appointed in 1828. After the first church was destroyed by fire, the cornerstone for the present building was laid on July 10, 1844, and the completed church was consecrated on August 7, 1846. The parish's first wedding took place 20 days later, after which the bride and groom planted a rose at the northwest corner of the building. The rose blooms annually to this day.
Stewards of God’s House:
Over the years, the original structure has been enlarged and improved. In 1884, the entire south wall was knocked out, a brick extension was constructed, and the stained glass windows were installed. The Parish House was added in 1893 and remodeled in 1964. The basement beneath the nave was refurbished in 1954 to form the present Undercroft. In 1966, the choir loft was reinforced to accommodate a new organ, and in 1979, the wooden stage of the original bell tower was replaced with an aluminum replica.
Recent developments:
An ambitious and successful campaign was launched in 1990 to fund additional physical improvements. During the next three years, St. Peter's received a new heating plant, an elevette and ramp for handicapped access, new lighting and painting for the nave, renovation of the library and Undercroft, air conditioning of the Parish House, and an office computer. Ten years later, another capital campaign resulted in the construction of a beautiful memorial garden and columbarium on the west side of the building, air conditioning of the nave, renovation of the kitchen, refurbished floors and pews, new entry steps, a parish website, and an updated computer network.
In 2007 the vestry took the opportunity to buy property adjacent to the parish grounds. The addition of 15 N Franklin St. to the St. Peter’s campus has enabled the church to expand its parking and ministry capabilities. The church is currently in the process of fully integrating the house and its grounds for use by St. Peter’s. It was built in 1822 as an orphanage and a school. President Rutherford B. Hayes attended as a young boy.