St. Peter Prince of the Apostles Catholic Church, San Antonio, TX

The History of St Peter Prince of the Apostles Catholic Church begins in 1923 when Bishop Arthur J Drossaerts established a parish to serve a large area encompassing the cities of Alamo Heights, Terrell Hills, the northeast corner of San Antonio and adjoining portions of Bexar County.  This territory was formerly a part of St Patrick's Parish, the new parish served about sixty families.  During construction, these families attended Mass at the Incarnate Word Mother House Chapel.  The new church was dedicated on Easter Sunday, April 4, 1926.

The founding pastor was Father E F Park but was succeeded in 1925 by Father Peter M Baque who was responsible for the construction of the original parish plant.  The First building to be completed was the church, which forms the nucleus of the present church.  The new church was dedicated on Easter Sunday, April 4, 1926.

In September of the same year the school was opened across Broadway from the church in the building later occupied by the Broadway National Bank.  Three Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word staffed the school.

In September of 1948, the combination school, convent and auditorium structure was completed and dedicated during the Pastorate of Father Matthew J Gilbert.  The number of parishioners continued to grow.  About five years later the original church was doubled in size by the addition of the Cleveland Court and Barilla Place transepts.  The entire structure was extensively remodeled and redecorated.  The Baptistry, which had been at the church entrance, was made into a separate area opening out into the Cleveland Court transept.

In April of 1955, almost thirty years after the establishment of St Peter Prince of the Apostles, the church was gutted by fire and suffered extensive damage. 

 After restoration from the destruction, the church continued to flourish.  In June 1955, the former Rigsby residence was purchased.  It became additional offices, meeting rooms and a residence for the priests. In December 1971 the Rectory was sold.  In October 21, 1973 the Rectory was built at 111 Barilla Place, and now houses the Pastoral Center. The new priest house was purchased in 1986 .

 Monsignor Kevin T Smith was appointed to Pastor in September 1968 followed by Monsignor Albert Hubertus in 1976, as well as Rev. Frederick Gallagher, Monsignor James M Boyle and in June of 1988 Monsignor Tom Murphy.

St Peter was divided several times during the years.  In 1957 the parish divided into St Pius X, in 1964 St Thomas More, 1965 St Anthony De Padua  and St John Neumann divided from St Thomas More in 1977.