History

Baptistery window
On June 28, 1997, St. Peter’s Parish celebrated one hundred years of Episcopal presence in Santa Maria with a Centennial Gala Celebration. The first service was conducted by Bishop Joseph Horsfall Johnson in the Christian Church.

It is fairly accurate to say that some Episcopal activity took place in Santa Maria prior to 1900 and continued on an intermittent basis in various locations until 1913, when the Reverend Arthur C. Dodd became the first Vicar of St. Peter’s Mission.

During the summer of 1913, the Right Reverend G. Mott Williams, Bishop of Marquette, Michigan, was involved in a serious accident while driving over San Marcos Pass. He was brought to Santa Maria for hospitalization and recuperative treatment. His attending physician was Dr. Robert Brown, a parish member. During his convalescence Bishop Williams developed a keen interest in St. Peter’s and was troubled by the lack of a church structure.

When Dr. Brown refused payment for his treatment, Bishop Williams collected $90 insurance money and gave it to Dr. Brown as the beginning of the St. Peter’s building fund. Six years later with help from the Women‘s Guild, a Guild Hall was built at 402 South Lincoln, where we are today. When Mr. Dodd left in 1919, no services were held and there was no one in charge until Mortimer Chester became Priest-in-Charge in 1922, staying until February 1924. 

Clergy who have subsequently served at St. Peter’s are listed below: 

  • Frederick C. Miller 1924-1927
  • Arthur C. Dodge 1928-1930
  • Edwin Moss 1931-1935
  • Robert B. Godden, Jr. 1935-1940
  • Alfred C. Bussingham 1940-1947
  • Robert Bonhall 1947-1951
  • A. Leonard Wood (Interim) 1951
  • Elvin W. Smith 1951 - 1953
  • A. Leonard Wood (Interim) 1953
  • J. Stanley Parke 1953-1972
  • William S. Chalmers (Priest-in-charge) 1972-1973
  • Barry E. Woods 1973-1981
  • J. Stanley Parke (Interim) 1981
  • S. Herbert Shears (Interim) 1982
  • B. Shepard Crim 1982-1984
  • S. Herbert Shears (Interim) 1984
  • George R. Mackey 1985-1999
  • Lorne Weaver (Interim) 1999-2001
  • Beverly Factor (Interim) 2000
  • Mary Goshert 2001-2006
  • Deborah Dunn (Priest-in-charge to Rector) 2007-April 20, 2017
  • James Sprague (Interim) 2017-2018
  • H. Peter Kang (Priest-in-Charge to Rector) 2018-2023
  • Courtney A. U. Tan (Priest-in-Charge) Present

 

The Guild Hall stood on the east end of the lot with its entrance facing north on Cook Street until 1932 when it was moved to the southwest corner of the lot. On September 24, 1932, the cornerstone was placed for the sanctuary building at 402 South Lincoln Street, and the opening service was held on December 24, 1932.

St. Peter’s Mission voted to become a parish on January 13, 1947. The parish was incorporated in 1949. The entrance to the church was moved in 1960 from Lincoln Street to the south side of the building, opening to the courtyard. The baptismal font was then placed in the original entrance alcove. The Parish Hall was built in 1959.