Old St. Peter's Landmark

Introduction

Text-to-speech Audio

Built in 1898, the former St. Peter's Catholic Church has remained an enduring landmark in The Dalles. Now known as Old St. Peter's Landmark, the former church is a striking example of Gothic Revival architecture. Its most prominent features is the steeple, which rises to height of 176 feet and is topped by cross and rooster weathervane. Other notable features include the red-brick exterior, stained glass arched windows, buttresses, and a statue of St. Peter in a niche above the main entrance. The old church has operated as Old St. Peter's landmark since 1971. It hosts weddings, concerts, and other events. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

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The former St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church was built in 1898. It has operated as Old St. Peter's Landmark since 1971.

Backstory and Context

Text-to-speech Audio

The first Catholic church built in the city—a log structure—was erected in 1848. It served as both the church and the residence of the priest. Unfortunately a fire destroyed the church in 1855. The next one was built shortly thereafter but it was located a little far from the town. As the congregation grew, a new, large church was needed. As a result, the third church—a larger wood frame structure—was built in 1861 and it was located where the current church is now.

By 1890 it was apparent that the third church was no longer sufficient and the congregation made plans to erect the present building. However, these plans were delayed for a number of years. A fire destroyed all of The Dalles in 1881 and three years later a flood in 1894 damaged much of the community. As a result of these factors, construction didn't get underway in 1897.

The congregation moved to a new church in the suburbs in 1968. The old church was slated for demolition but local residents led an effort to prevent that from happening. An organization called Old St. Peter's Landmark Preservation, Inc. was established and bought the former church for $25,000. It continues to operate the building today.

Sources

Hartwig, Paul B. "St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. June 20, 1974. https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/4fc396c1-e05d-445b-bec3-137c8bf55698.

"St. Peter's Church." The Historical Marker Database. Accessed August 18, 2020. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=112397.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St_Peters_Church,_The_Dalles.jpg

Additional Information