Religion has always played an important role in Montgomery. From the time the city was founded in 1819, various denominations began forming, sharing a common building until an individual structure could be completed or meeting in homes. One of the early churches in Montgomery was St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church. It was the first Catholic Church built in Montgomery and located on the corner of Lawrence Street and Adams Avenue. The land for the new church was donated by Mr. Edward Hanrick and would remain the permanent location of St. Peter’s Church. In 1834, a small frame church was completed and dedicated by Bishop Michael Portier of Mobile.
The first priest of St. Peter’s was a cousin of Bishop Portier by the name of Gabriel Chalon. Father Chalon served the parish for three years and his hard work solidified a strong, though small Catholic presence in Montgomery. After three years at St. Peter’s, Father Chalon was transferred to Mobile.
By the mid 1840s, the population and wealth of Alabama was moving south and with it came the state capital. In 1850, the parish of St. Peter’s was given a full-time resident priest. Under his leadership, the current structure was built. The church was constructed in the Spanish style and completed in 1852. It was dedicated on September 10, 1853 by Bishop Timon of Louisiana, assisted by Bishop Portier of Mobile.
In 1881, a 25-foot enlargement was made along the front of the church, towers added, and major changes to the interior of the church were completed. Ten years later, a new pipe organ was installed and was reportedly one of the oldest in the area. It served the parish until the 1950s, when mechanical problems caused it to shut down.
St. Peter’s has also played an important role in education and medicine in Montgomery. The Sisters of Loretto began the first Catholic schools for boys and girls. The school was eventually moved to Vaughn Road, where it remains as Catholic High School. The Daughters of Charity came to Montgomery and founded St. Margaret’s Hospital, which was in operation until 1988.
St. Peter’s has successfully served the Montgomery community since its founding in the early part of the 19th century and continues to serve the area today. It started St. Andrew’s in Cottage Hill, St. Bede’s on Atlanta Highway, and Our Lady Queen of Mercy on Narrow Lane Road.
Given the historic location of St. Peters, it has seen many of the important events in Montgomery’s history, including the evolution of Chris’ Hotdogs. The restaurant has served many in its history, including parishioners from St. Peters.