The first Catholic settlers attended services in a little white frame church in our neighboring city of Wyoming, Minnesota.

As more settlers arrived, the need for a larger church became apparent. They decided to build a church in Forest Lake. J. W. Houle donated two lots on what is now West Broadway Avenue and 5th Street. Before the church was completed, Father R. V. Kennedy, from Rush City, would arrive by train to celebrate Mass in the “modern” Woodman Hall. It was on the second floor of the hardware store on Lake Street. The hall had many uses, among them dances on Saturday night and church services on Sunday.

Archbishop John Ireland dedicated the newly built Church on November 13, 1905. In 1911, they paid the church debt and burned the mortgage! This is almost unbelievable by today's standards. In 1912, under the pastorate of Father Thomas Gibbons, a parish house was built that included his office. The house, painted light blue still stands on Broadway. The empty lot on the corner next to the house is the former site of the original church before they sold and dismantled it. Father Gibbons retired in 1965 and was our pastor for 44 years.

By the 1950’s there was again a need for a larger church. In anticipation of that, Father Gibbons started a building fund for a church and parochial school before he retired. Father Barry followed Father Gibbons, but he felt he was too old to start this big building project. Nevertheless, he did buy the Bayview property for the future church site, which they later sold.

Our next pastor, Father Joseph Streff, faced the task of relocating and building the church and school. Most Reverend Leonard Cowley, Auxiliary Bishop of St. Paul, held the dedication on October 25, 1961. We have had many priests serving our parish since the early days. Saint Peter’s School opened in 1961 and had eight grades in the beginning. Now it has a preschool program, child-care, and classes for kindergarten through 8th grade.

The old convent that once housed the teachers for Saint Peter’s School, the School Sisters of Notre Dame, now serves as our Annex for Faith Formation, Bible Studies, Youth and Family Programs. The Divine Mercy Chapel for Perpetual Adoration is located in the main building. It used to be in the basement of the Annex.

Please note that the history of our Catholic faith in this area began in 1860, which is 160 years. Our Centennial celebration is based on the dedication of the new church on West Broadway on November 13, 1905 through November 13, 2005.

Written by Elsie Vogel (member of the Church of St. Peter from 1928 until her death in 2003)

HISTORY OF ST. PETER