Saint Peter Claver Catholic Church
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- 375 N. Oxford Street -
Saint Peter Claver was founded in 1892, thanks to the efforts of Archbishop John Ireland. The church has its roots in a congregation that worshipped downtown, starting in 1888. In 1892, one of the founding members, Colonel Samuel Hardy, helped organize the church. He also was the first president of the Negro Catholic Conference. The church moved to Aurora and Farrington in 1892. It housed many literary, religious and community groups. The church moved to its current building in 1950 and its school opened. During the 1960s, SPCC grew within the community by creating a youth drop-in center called “The Island.”
The current building and campus were built in the 1950s, with the church cornerstone laid in 1956.
Files
Saint Peter Claver Church, Interior
Photographer: Miller Studios Date: Approximately 1916 Image courtesy of Minnesota Historical Society
Second grade class, St. Peter Claver
Date: 1959-60 Image courtesy of Minnesota Historical Society
Choir, St. Peter Claver Church
Pictured: John T. Andrzejewski, Allen French, Eva Harris, Claude Jackson, Birdie King, Mattie McGhee, Charles Miller, Mary Pitts, Emma Porter, Hattie Shepard, and Adda Tobie. Date: Unknown Image courtesy of Minnesota Historical Society