Designed by Isaiah Rogers, who would go on to serve as Supervising Architect of the United States, St. Peter’s-San Pedro’s current church was built in 1833 by local stonemasons and carpenters, retaining the original wooden box pews of the 1733 church which are still used today. The land for the church was given by Salem’s wealthiest merchant, Philip English, who was among those accused in the 1692 Witch Trials, and it is located in a historic residential neighborhood that sees up to 1 million visitors annually, drawn by Salem’s history and architecture. St. Peter’s-San Pedro’s historic English bell is believed to be the oldest church bell in the United States (1741), has tolled for the death of every US president. 

In 2008, St. Peter’s welcomed a Latine congregation that had been evicted from its previous building. This transformed the parish and led members to examine the role that racism and privilege play in the community, while adopting inclusive practices of bilingualism. Today, the congregation is 60% Latine. St. Peter’s-San Pedro works diligently to continue its long history of service by providing financial support to people in crisis, offering free laundry gift cards, distributing winter clothing, and serving nourishing meals to people in need. The church hosts recovery groups, concerts, Tai Chi, COVID testing, youth programs, and Mamás Unidas, supporting Latine mothers. St. Peter’s-San Pedro’s carillon bells toll “Lift Every Voice and Sing” every noontime and hymns in English and Spanish every day.   

A National Fund grant of $250,000 with at least $500,000 in matching funds to be raised by the congregation will assist St. Peter’s-San Pedro with repairs to the building envelope including structural repairs, windows, and masonry repointing.   

St. Peter-San Pedro Episcopal Church Courtesy St. Peter-San Pedro Episcopal Church

First Church in Oberlin