In 1893, the Catholics living just outside the city of Hamilton in St. Clair Township, feeling the need of a church on the West side of the Great Miami, sought the assistance of Rev. Francis Varelmann, then pastor of St. Joseph Church.   Property was purchased on the corner of Millville and Ridgelawn Avenues, in the township of St. Clair.  The deed was recorded November 9, 1894. The building committee consisted of Henry Miller, Joseph Waller, William Hammerle, Joseph Ruhl and Herman Koch.

First Holy Communion, May, 1924, with Father Hare

The proposed parish received the approval of the Most Rev. Henry Elder, Archbishop of Cincinnati and the Archbishop dedicated the church, placing it under the patronage of St. Peter in Chains.  The structure was a combination church, school, and rectory.  The first pastor was Rev. Henry Proppermann whose untimely death ocurred April 7, 1906.

The parish soon grew and was able to support a school, staffed by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.

An ordinance (No. 331) was passed November 12, 1907, by the Council of  the City of Hamilton, State of Ohio, annexing a portion of the west side (including St. Peter's area).  On November 21, 1918, Millville Avenue was changed to Liberty Ave.

(information provided by Helen Moore, St. Peter Church archivist)
 

Members of St. Peter's Young Ladies Sodality, 1941 Notice the inscription on the church facade:  Pro Deo et Patria (For God and Country)

 © 2000 by the Butler County Historical Society