From StPeters

Our History

St Peter's Church was organized as a parochial mission of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, with the first services held on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1957 in the home of Mr. & Mrs. Monte Rosenwald. The Mission was organized through the efforts of the Rt. Rev. George Quarterman, the first Bishop of the Diocese of Northwest Texas, and the Rev. Evan Moreland, then rector of St. Andrew's.

For the next two years, services were held in space leased in West Hills Shopping Center, Sam Houston Jr. High School and in the residence purchased for use as a vicarage at 4412 Gem Lake Road. There were approximately 35 charter members and some remain active communicants of the church.

The present site of St. Peter's was donated to the Diocese of Northwest Texas by the Bush Estate in 1958, and later transferred to St. Peter's in 1960. The ground breaking ceremony for the original building was held with 125 people present and The Rev. Evans Moreland of St. Andrew’s officiated. The present Parish hall was erected in 1959 courtesy of St. Andrew’s. During the same year, St. Peter’s was accepted as a Diocesan Mission and its first clergy arrived -- the Rev. Edward Miller. With some 130 members on its rolls at the end of 1960, full parish status was sought, and obtained, at the annual Diocesan Council held in March at Pampa. In early 1963, ground was broken for the second building phase.

The Rev. Ed. Miller became resident as the first vicar of St. Peter’s in July of 1959, his first service at St. Peter’s was on July 5, 1959. The vicarage was blessed by Bishop Quarterman and the congregation held a covered dish supper in the backyard afterwards. The first Christmas Eve service celebrated at St. Peter’s was December 24, 1959, and was telecast by channel 7 KVII.

The groundbreaking service for the addition of the new nave, office and study was celebrated March 24, 1963 with an estimated cost of $54,000.00. The new sanctuary and office space was dedicated on Sept. 1, 1963, with Bishop Quarterman presiding.

Shortly thereafter, Fr. Miller departed and the Rev. Richard Neal arrived for his installation as rector on Thanksgiving Day, 1963. Fr. Neal stayed until the Rev. Frank Smith moved to Amarillo from Red Bluff, California, to become the third rector of St. Peter’s, again on Thanksgiving Day, 1966. Fr. Smith was instrumental in establishing the annual spring parish Bar-B-Que.

In the fall of 1971, Fr. Smith resigned and was succeeded by the Rev. Fred Howard in October of the same year. Fr. Smith had been at St. Thomas’ in Hereford previously, during Fr. Howard’s tenure. The third addition was made to the Church building, the classrooms along the north side and the basement. This addition was completed in September 1974.

In mid 1977, Fr. Howard left to join the Episcopal Church’s National headquarters in New York City and the Rev. Bruce Green and his family, moved from Gatlinburg, Tenn. to become the fifth rector of St. Peter’s. Fr. Green’s installation was conducted on Thanksgiving Day, 1977, the 20th Anniversary of St. Peter's church.

Fr. Parker & Paula Jameson came to St. Peter’s in 1982. He came as a Deacon and was ordained Priest at St. Peter’s on June 29, 1982. Fr. Parker was a priest at both St. Peter’s and St Paul’s in Dumas.

During October 23-25 1987 St. Peter’s was host to the annual Diocesan Convention for the first time.

In the summer of 1988 the Rev. Vicki Smith joined St. Peter’s as the associate rector. Rev. Smith left St. Peter’s in 1990.

On February 19, 1989 the groundbreaking for the present building was held with Bishop Hulsey officiating. October 14, 1989, the new building was dedicated and a confirmation and Baptism service was held the following day.

The Rev. Bruce Green left St. Peter’s in August of 1990 to take a position as rector of Grace Church in Carthage, Missouri.

The Rev. John Walker was installed as St. Peter’s 6th rector in February 1992. Fr. Walker resigned from St. Peter’s in April 1996.

St. Peter’s again hosts the Diocesan Convention October 27—29, 1995. Services were held in the Grand Plaza at the Civic Center and Business meetings were held at the Hilton Inn. On June 2, 1996 the Panhandle Deanery Confirmations are held at St. Peter’s.

In August 1996 The Rev. Frank Swindle was called as interim rector for St. Peter’s. Fr Swindle and wife Gloria’s last Sunday at St. Peter’s was January 31, 1999.

In February 1999 Fr. John Watson and Wife Lesley arrived to become the 7th rector of St. Peter’s. On February 14, 1999, The Rev. John Watson conducted his first service at St. Peter’s. May 5, 1999 St. Peter’s celebrates a New Ministry with the Installation of Fr. Watson.

The year 2000 was a busy one. The nave was redecorated in time for Easter. On June 18, 2000 Bishop Wallis Ohl dedicated the Columbarium and Memorial Garden.

November 1, 2006 The Rev. John Watson III retired.

On Wednesday, November 22, 2006, St. Peter’s completed 50 years of life as a Church Family. We celebrated our official 50th Anniversary Celebration on April 27th, 2008 with The Rt. Rev. C. Wallis Ohl, Bishop of Northwest Texas as celebrant.

On Ash Wednesday, February 25, 2009, The Rev. Scott Mayer, Bishop Elect of Northwest Texas was celebrant.

The Rev. Robert D. Taliaferro and his wife Maggie moved from Tulsa, OK to Amarillo to become St. Peter's 8th rector. Fr. Bob conducted his first service on March 1, 2009.