A hidden gem in Cleveland, St. Peter Church has been a long-standing member of our neighborhood. Located on the corner of E. 17th Street and Superior Avenue in Campus District, the German church of St. Peter’s was first constructed in the 1850s. It is one of the only pre-Civil War structures remaining in Downtown Cleveland, earning it landmark status.
Since then, the church has seen its fair share of history. Now, with the recent development of the Superior Arts District, and new companies like Cross Country Mortgage moving in only a few blocks away, the church will see more foot traffic than before. “With the growing of downtown and this area, I’m really interested to see where it will be in 3 to 5 years. This block, and the potential it has,” says Fr. Phil, the new pastor at St. Peter’s who joined the parish in October of 2020.
Growing up in Lakewood, Fr. Phil is a Cleveland native, catholic Franciscan friar. “I’ve been paying close attention,” he says. “[The potential] of what’s going on down here, it’s a great place for us.”
St. Peter Church is a different type of church, and a lot of Cleveland Catholics might not even know where it is, or have ever heard of it. “We are the place where Catholics who don’t like the ‘style’ of the Cathedral would come,” explains Fr. Phil. “[It is] a very monastic, progressive approach.”
“During the Eucharist, we ask people to come and gather around the altar. This strengthens their sense of community. This is a huge metaphor for the people who have been coming here for a long time. For them to come into the sanctuary and gather around the altar, strengthens their sense of community.”
Fr. Phil describes how there are no pews, only chairs, and recognizes that this open concept is unique to some. “We invite visitors to come forward.” Fr. Phil hopes many find this new style to be more open, approachable, and welcoming than the church has been in its past. St. Peter Church prides itself in its non-traditional worship style. While this might feel foreign to some, St. Peter’s believes this cultivates a special community. “We attempt to build this community and worship around warm hospitality, good music, and challenging preaching.”
“Some years ago, gates were installed on Superior Ave. that may give the impression that the church is closed. As we continue to grow, it is my hope that the gates will remain open more often,” says Fr. Phil.
St. Peter Church is unique for many reasons. In addition to its open, monastic approach is its 7 p.m. Sunday mass. Being in Campus District, Fr. Phil explains that these night masses are geared towards students and others who find themselves busy during more typical mass hours. It is also the meeting site for CSU’s Newman Catholic Campus Ministry, which is a spiritual home for students looking to grow in faith and community during their studies at Cleveland State. St. Peter’s is now a hub for a new experience for young Catholics in downtown Cleveland.
With community in mind, Fr. Phil hopes one day the church can utilize their green space, one of the only green spaces in Campus District on Superior Avenue. “It can be a place of spirituality, especially in an urban setting,” explains Fr. Phil. “There’s a spirituality with gardening, a Franciscan connection to nature, that in itself builds community.”
But the church is not only for practicing Catholics. “Our doors are always open to the community, for people who are seeking God’s presence in life. I’m here as a pastor, but also here for the community. I am here to offer encouragement and hope for people in times of need” says Fr. Phil. “The Church’s greatest gift is community.”
