I drive by this big, stone landmark surrounded by beautiful, iron fencing often; and its open door always intrigues me. There, in the middle of Pittsburgh’s busy North Side, Saint Peter Catholic Church with its open door stands ready to welcome one and all like outstretched arms ready for a big hug. Yesterday, I had the chance to enter and spend a few quiet moments in its warm embrace; and I came out all the better for it.
The cornerstone for this historic church was laid in 1871 for the growing immigrant population on Pittsburgh’s North Side (then the City of Allegheny). The chiseled and cut stone Gothic structure served as the cathedral (meaning it contained the seat of a bishop) for the newly formed Diocese of Allegheny (which eventually reunited with the Diocese of Pittsburgh).
A fire in 1886 gutted the church leaving only its walls standing. After rebuilding using the original plans, a nearby gas line explosion in 1927 damaged the spire and cupola beyond repair leaving no choice but to remove them. The latter half of the 1900s saw a sharp decline in this area’s population, but recent revitalization efforts now has Saint Peter Catholic Church thriving once again — beckoning one and all with its open door.
