St. Peter Parish, Eaton Rapids at 515 E Knight St, Eaton Rapids, MI 48827-1356 US - Our Church History

The first Mass to be said in the community of Eaton Rapids took place in 1878 in the home of Frank Birney, by the Rev. Louis VanDriss. Father VanDriss alternated with Father Theophilus Buyse, pastor of St. John Parish in Jackson, in the celebration of the monthly, first-Monday Masses. Under Fr. VanDriss' guidance, the small mission purchased the old Episcopal Church in 1891. It is unknown to whom the church was dedicated at that time, but from 1895 until 1915, the parish was known as St. Francis. The present dedication to St. Peter the Apostle was made after that. Through the immense generosity of parishioner Margaret Bromeling, the church underwent a substantial renovation in the early 1930's, under the supervision of Fr. Lockwood, who had served as pastor of the Mission Church for fifteen years. The church was officially reopened on October 20, 1935. From the time of its establishment until 1962, the Eaton Rapids church was considered a mission parish. But in 1962, in celebration of the Diocesan Silver Jubilee, Bishop Joseph H. Albers decided to raise St. Peter's to the status of parish. The Rev. Charles Crowley became the first resident pastor. Seeing the profound need for expansion, Fr. Crowley oversaw the purchase of church property on Knight Street and the building of a new church and catechetical center. The parish helds its Centennial Celebration on September 8, 1991, with Bishop Kenneth J. Povish and many of the church's former pastors in attendance. With the endorsement and encouragement of Bishop Povish, plans for the building of the new and current church commenced in January 1992, and construction began in October of 1993, under the guidance and leadership of pastor Rev. Bennett P. Constantine.The new church was inaugurated on the Feast of Pentecost, May 22, 1994, and dedicated on October 23, 1994.

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