375 Oxford Street North
St Paul, MN, USA

375 Oxford Street North, St Paul, MN, USA

Saint Peter Claver Catholic Church
By Jane McClure

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.

Cite this Page
Jane McClure, “Saint Peter Claver Catholic Church,” Saint Paul Historical, accessed June 27, 2022, https://saintpaulhistorical.com/items/show/229.