Closure of St Peter Church Building

Announcement and Decree of Closure

On December 6, 2019, Bishop David Zubik signed a decree indicating that St. Peter church building of Prince of Peace Parish in the South Side of Pittsburgh, is being closed for worship and relegated to profane but not sordid use.  This decision was made after a recommendation was made in October to Bishop Zubik, signed by Fr. Michael Stumpf, the Administrator of Prince of Peace Parish, and in keeping with the recommendation of the Resource Task Force, Parish Pastoral Council and Parish Finance Council.  The closure will take effect after the last mass on the 12th January 2020.  
 
This is a loss for all of us in the parish but particularly for those who have experienced St. Peter’s as central to their faith experience and Catholic heritage. The difficult decision to request the closure of this church building came after a great deal of study and reflection and as a result of a growing awareness of the stringent financial limitations facing Prince of Peace Parish, growing debt, and the parish’s ability to adequately provide pastoral and sacramental care through the parish’s other worship site, St. Adalbert. Determining which building the parish would petition to close was very challenging.  The recommendation came after a group of parishioners designated as a “Resources Task Force” studied and prayed over liturgical, structural, and financial data as well as a survey of worshiping parishioners. 
 
We must commit to accompanying parishioners in their grieving over the closure of St. Peter’s and further unite the local faith community as we move forward.  This is a time of grief and loss, but it also a time to celebrate the wonderful heritage we have received, and to reflect upon where God is calling us to deeper mission and ministry within our parish community and our world.
 
The Closing Ceremony will be a special Mass 12 January 2:00 PM at St. Peter Church (S. 28^th Street and Sarah) 
A Reception to follow the Closing Mass at 4:00 PM in the Prince of Peace Parish Center (81 S. 13^th Street). 
 
More detail about mourning and celebrating will be forthcoming.  
 
To view the Decree for Closure – Click Here

For Information on the Resource Task Force and the data that led to this recommendation and decision - Click Here