July 5, 1903: The Catholic Church in Pearl River began as Mass celebrated this Sunday in July by a priest on the mission circuit at the Crawford home. Plans for a church were subsequently approved by Archbishop Louis Placide Chapella.
June, 1904: Construction of a church in the woods at Guthrie Crossing began and continued until January, 1904.
June 5, 1904: The new church was dedicated at Mass celebrated by Abbot Paul Schaenble, O.S.B., and Fr. Paul P Dobyns, O.S.B., the pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Slidell. The church was dedicated in honor of Sts. Peter and Paul and became a mission of the Benedictine Fathers at St. Joseph Abbey near Covington.
In 1905: A Benedictine Father traveled by horseback, on the first Sunday of each month, to celebrate Mass at 9:00 a.m.
In 1913: Sts. Peter and Paul officially became a mission church under the care of Fr. Bernard Keating, O.S.B., pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes in Slidell.
In 1914: The Catholic population in Pearl River showed such a significant decline that the church, sadly, was closed.
In 1921: The church was re-opened and families in Pearl River raised funds to move the church building to Nelson Road. Fr. Juan Martinez, O.S.B., came from Our Lady of Lourdes once a month to celebrate Mass in the “Green Church.” For 35 years, the Benedictine priest of Our Lady of Lourdes celebrated Mass once a month at the Mission Church.
In the late 1950’s: The Catholic population began to grow in Pearl River and outgrew the “Green Church.” Fr. Finton Bru, O.S.B., invited Archbishop Joseph Rummel to come inspect land Herbert P. Berrigan would donate for a new church at the intersection of Highway 41 Spur and St. Mary Drive.
March 2, 1958: The Berrigan gift was accepted and Fr. Timothy Pugh, O.S.B., and Fr. Ignatius Fossier, O.S.B., officiated at the ground breaking ceremonies.
Sunday, July 6, 1958: Abbot David Melancon, O.S.B., Fr. Gregory Robeau, O.S.B., and Fr. Timothy Pugh, O.S.B., laid the cornerstone.
Sunday, November 23, 1958: At 3:00 p.m., Archbishop Joseph Francis Rummel, S.T.D., dedicated the new church in honor of Sts. Peter and Paul. The old “Green Church” was converted into the Catholic Community Center of Pearl River and was modified by adding bathroom facilities and a kitchen so that fundraising could be held.
January, 1956 – 1960: Mrs. Cora Nelson and Mrs. Nena Gernon began a program of Religious Education that, with the encouragement of Fr. Tim, became well-organized. Classes met on Monday and Wednesday, beginning in late September and ending in May. In 1958, the Summer School of Religion was held every weekend morning during June at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Swann. The following year, it was held at the home of Mrs. Resor, with nuns from Our Lady of Lourdes teaching. In 1960, the Summer School of Religion was moved into the church building.
During the 1960’s: Pearl River’s population grew as the aerospace industry impacted the area, and the interstate system allowed easier and faster access to the city of New Orleans.
1964 – 1965: Since the growing Religious Education Program required more room, Fr. Tim drew up plans for a multipurpose meeting hall with four large classrooms. Work began on the Parish Hall in 1964 with completion in early 1965.
1966 – 1972: Mrs. Ruby Gauley and Mrs. Pat Himber taught Preschool-age children from 1966 to 1972, under Fr. Tim Pugh, until the public school opened a Kindergarten program.
By 1969: There was a need for a resident priest. Archbishop Philip M. Hannan asked Fr. Maur Robira, O.S.B., to take up residence in January, 1970. One of the front classrooms in the Parish Hall was converted into his living quarters. Fr. Maur Robira performed the first recorded baptism of Robert Ellis Craddock on March 28, 1970.
June 6, 1970: Since Pearl River continued to grow. Archbishop Philip Hannan formally wrote the canonical decree establishing the parish of Sts. Peter and Paul. The first pastor to serve was Fr. Jean F. Villere for two and one-half years. Fr. Villere performed the first recorded funeral for Clementine D. Brewin on August 8, 1970. On August 12, 1970, Fr. Villere married Tommy Cooper and Zandra Gail Frierson for the first recorded wedding ceremony.
January 17, 1973: Fr. Thomas P. Brady, C.S.Sp., was appointed the second pastor and served eight months.
October 18, 1973: Fr. John Ralph was appointed the third pastor. Mass was celebrated on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. Since Fr. Ralph was also Chaplain of Slidell Memorial Hospital and Greenbriar Nursing Home, weekday Masses were only on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
May, 1975: Fr. Ralph returned to Ireland for his parents’ fiftieth wedding anniversary. His leave would extend several months until after Christmas.
June, 1975: Archbishop Hannan appointed Fr. Peter Calamari as temporary administrator during Fr. Ralph’s absence. During the two months, Fr. Calamari administered the parish; he moved the bingo games from the old “Green Church” to the Parish Hall. He brought the community together to celebrate the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul and initiated a parish census to identify the needs of the growing Catholic population in Pearl River.
August 10, 1975: Fr. Adrian B. Hall became the fourth pastor. Soon after his arrival, he added a Vigil Mass on Saturday as well as a 10:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday. He celebrated Mass every weekday with the exception of Wednesday.
January, 1977: Sts. Peter and Paul School opened in January, 1977, with a Pre-Kindergarten program. Beginning in the fall of 1978, one grade level was added each year. The classrooms in the Parish Hall were modified to accommodate the school, and an addition to the hall provided space for two more classes. To provide even more space for administration and staff, Fr. Hall vacated his residence in the Parish Hall and purchased a mobile home that would perform dual duty as the Rectory and Parish Office. It was located behind the church building. By 1985, the school offered full educational programs for Pre-K through eighth grade.
June 16, 1979: Fr. Hall purchased 9.8 acres for $115,000.00 from Earl Berrigan. This property was across St. Mary Drive from the church and behind the Berrigan home (now St. Anthony Hall). The property would later become the playground for the school. He renovated the sanctuary, added a side chapel, a side entrance, redesigned the front entrance removing the choir loft and extended the front to provide space for a Sacristy, a confessional and a large vestibule.
June, 1982: Fr. Hall left Sts. Peter and Paul to establish the new parish of St. Luke the Evangelist in Slidell. Fr. William O’Brien was appointed June 19, 1982, as the fifth pastor.
June 1983: Fr. O’Brien added stained glass windows in the side chapel and the vestibule.
May, 1984: Fr. O’Brien purchased a home at the end of St. Mary Drive and moved the Rectory and Parish Office to that location. Because of continuing poor health, Fr. O’Brien asked Archbishop Hannan for a new assignment and was assigned to Sacred Heart in Lacombe. He was later murdered in the rectory for the Sunday Collection.
March 23, 1985: Fr. Michael B. Fraser became the sixth pastor. A weekly parish bulletin was again being published for the pastor to communicate with his people. A detached building to house the Pre-K class was added in 1985. The free-standing library structure was built in 1986.
December 1985: John Howard has served the parish as a Permanent Deacon since his ordination in December, 1985 until his retirement in September, 2009.
1986: A Solemn Novena in honor of St. Jude began gracing the parish in 1986 and brought many blessings, including the return to the faith of many fallen-away Catholics.
May, 1987: School enrollment dropped, and at the end of the school year in May, 1987, Sts. Peter and Paul School closed, leaving the church with a debt of $258,000.00.
September, 1988: To enhance the community, carillon chimes, a gift of the Stella Roman Foundation, were installed.
1990: A pastoral council known as the Parish Life and Activity Committee was formed. Organizations came into being—Antonians, Grand Adults of Sts. Peter and Paul (GASPP!), Family Life Organization (FLO), Spiritual Life Committee and Legion of Mary joined the already active Altar Society and Finance Committee. Covered dish suppers, parish picnics and the New Year celebration (with our own fireworks display) brought forth a sense of community and fellowship.
In 1991: The Archdiocese took title to the 9.8 acres of vacant church-owned land on Spur 41. The parish then purchased 2.38 acres next to the Church and Parish Hall. This exchange lowered the debt for the Parish. All major fundraising functions were eliminated, and the Church relied solely on tithing and the generosity of parishioners for Church revenue.
1993: At the New Year celebration, Sts. Peter and Paul was debt free.
In 1994: An artist restored the church statuary, and faux marbling was placed on the face of the sanctuary. The Parish was also blessed with the Tomb of the Unborn Child by the Slidell Knights of Columbus Council No. 2732.
1995: Now 25 years later, (June 6, 1970), attendance at daily Mass increased. Mass is celebrated every day with the exception of Monday. There is a Vigil Mass on Saturday and three Masses on Sunday.
July, 1995: Fr. Bac-Hai Viet Tran became the seventh pastor. Fr. Hai, as he preferred to be called, continued with the growth of the Parish.
July, 1996: Knights of Columbus Council No. 11814 was created.
March, 1997: Fr. Hai also saw the organization of a St. Joseph Altar Guild and was instrumental in starting a Lenten Mission, held during Holy Week in 1997.
May 3, 1998: Through the efforts of parishioner Wayne Higginbotham, the relief of the Blessed Mother that hung in the lobby of Hotel Dieu Hospital in New Orleans was donated. The Shrine of the Blessed Mother was dedicated and blessed by Most Reverend Gregory M. Aymond.
August 1998: A complete walking census of the parish was started and completed in October 2001.
November, 1998: Fr. Hai planned and completed a beautiful new rectory across the street from the Church offices and facilities. Archbishop Hannan dedicated and blessed this new building on May 2, 1999, with parishioners invited to view the interior at an Open House.
December, 1999: Two men from our Parish were ordained Deacons: Francis W. Drake (Frank) and John P. Downey (Pat). Frank was assigned to Sts. Peter and Paul Parish full-time and Pat was assigned to Southeastern Hospital in Mandeville, and as an assistant at Sts. Peter and Paul.
March, 2000: To meet our growing needs, the St. Joseph Workshop was constructed.
June, 2001: The Parish added a new confessional and Bell Tower, which enabled the addition of a larger Cry Room.
July 17, 2003: The Parish purchased the home on the corner of St. Mary Drive and Highway Spur 41, across from the Church and next to the rectory. The building was named St. Anthony Hall and is used for classes and meetings.
April, 2005: Knights of Columbus Council No. 11814 presented the Parish with a marble Ten Commandments and Beatitude monument that was placed at the side entrance to the Church.
August, 2005: Fr. Hai and the parishioners were very blessed when Hurricane Katrina passed over the Pearl River community. The Parish had some downed trees, and roof damage to the hall and annex building, but was up and running in less than two weeks. That first Sunday, Mass was held in the Parish Hall in candle light, but the faithful came.
July 14, 2007: Fr. Thomas M. McCann III was appointed Parochial Administrator of Sts. Peter and Paul. After completion of one year service, Fr. Tom was announced pastor (Sts. Peter and Paul’s eighth pastor) and continued to oversee growth of the Parish. Construction of the restroom in the church building was a dream come true. Fr. Tom inherited a $75,000.00 debt on St. Anthony Hall but, in one year, the parishioners had reduced the debt to $15,532.00. Fr. Tom added a popular town hall style meeting called “Nibbles and Bits,” where parishioners came together to present new ideas for discussion and plan for the future.
February, 2008: Deacon Richard Calkins joined our staff. Deacon Eugene Templet was ordained on December 13, 2008, and was assigned to our Parish and the St. Tammany Parish Jail.
The beautiful outdoor Stations of the Cross was relocated closer to the church. To enhance the beauty and accessibility of the stations, a sidewalk and engraved memorial bricks were added at the foot of each station. In the center of the walk way a cross was constructed, listing the priests and deacons who have served and are serving our Church.
July 15, 2011, Fr. Ray A. Hymel, was assigned as ninth pastor. Fr. Ray continued with Fr. Tom’s works of remodeling the Parish Hall, both the men’s and women’s restroom, and the Parish Hall kitchen. Fr. Ray directed the installation of a new digital bell system to replace the carillon chimes.
July, 2013: Fr. Burnick (Bernie) Terrebonne was assigned as tenth pastor. Fr. Bernie had a vision to take the youth of Sts. Peter & Paul to the March for Life in Washington, D.C. In August, 2016, he and parishioner, Jack Lauer, orchestrated a very successful fundraiser (Sts. Peter & Paul’s Summer Soiree). With the help of many parishioners, enough funds were raised for the youth to attend the 2017 and 2018 March for Life in Washington, D.C. On December 1, 2017, Fr. Bernie requested retirement due to his health.
December 1, 2017: Fr. Warren Cooper has been assigned as Parish Administrator of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, effective December 1, 2017 – July 1, 2018 with the assistance of Fr. Jerry Daniels.