About St. Peter’s

St. Elizabeth window–over the altar. Tiffany.

Our History:

In 1852 an intrepid band of ecumenical worshippers gathered on Indian Rock in Narragansett with nothing but the open heavens over their bowed heads and sea gulls singing Gloria. They raised $4000 to build a wooden church, only to have it destroyed by a great Nor’Easter, leaving only the cross standing and one stained glass window unshattered. That very day, they met in the ruins and vowed to rebuild, this time in stone. Our present St. Peter’s-by-the-Sea rose from that pile of splintered wood to become a granite structure, complete with Tiffany stained glass windows, a part of RI’s Episcopal Diocese. St. Peter’s was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

Anchor detail–green angel door

Today:

St. Peter’s is one of the fastest growing parishes in RI. We sanctify more marriages than just about any other parish. Our budget for the poor has increased from $800 per year to over $26,000. Our Sunday School teaches 93 children a year to love and worship God and to live an ethical, Christian life. Our Confirmation Class is so large it has to meet in two groups. We provide 126 homebound or bedridden people with the Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist every year.

St. Peter’s-by-the-Sea is more than stone and mortar, more than stained glass and historic stenciling. St. Peter’s is a vital, growing parish, praising God, feeding the poor, and spreading the Gospel message of unconditional love.

Madonna & Child detail

Wouldn’t you love to see some pictures here? Send your digital photos to Linda O’Neill.

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