Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul (Prince of Peace Parish)

History of the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul

Founded in 1870 as Saint Peter's Parish — the first French-speaking parish in the Diocese of Portland — the parish grew alongside the French-Canadian mill workers of Lewiston. Under Father Peter Hevey a brick church was built and dedicated on May 14, 1873; the Dominican Fathers took over in 1881 and renamed the parish Saints Peter and Paul. The present basilica, designed to seat thousands, was begun in 1905–06 and completed three decades later, with the upper church dedicated on October 23, 1938. Threatened with demolition in the 1990s, the parish rallied and restored both the exterior and interior; a new altar was dedicated in 2002 and the lower church reopened in 2007. On May 22, 2005 Pope Benedict XVI elevated the church to the rank of minor basilica.

Architecture and Interior

At about 300 feet long, the Basilica is longer than a football field and the second-largest Catholic church in New England. Boston architect Timothy G. O'Connell of O'Connell and Shaw designed the upper church; Lewiston contractor Louis Malo built it with 30,000 cubic feet of granite from Jay, 1.7 million bricks, and 325 tons of steel. One hundred-foot granite columns rise to a yellow barrel-vaulted ceiling. Interior paintings are largely the work of Constantino Brumidi (the artist of the U.S. Capitol dome), and stained-glass windows were installed in 1948. Two Casavant Frères organs anchor the worship space — a 4,695-pipe gallery organ and a 737-pipe sanctuary organ.

Clergy and Staff

The Basilica is served by Prince of Peace Parish under Very Rev. Daniel P. Greenleaf, Pastor and Rector, alongside parochial vicars, in-residence priests, hospital chaplains, a deacon, and a robust lay staff.

• Pastor/Rector: Very Rev. Daniel P. Greenleaf (207-705-3744)
• Parochial Vicars: Rev. Divine Fossoh; Rev. Elaiyaraja Thaniyel, HGN
• In Residence: Rev. Michael Sevigny, OFM Cap.
• Hospital Chaplains: Rev. Peter Onwe, OP (St. Mary's); Rev. Gabriel Odin, OP (CMMC)
• Deacon: Denis W. Mailhot
• Seminarian: Vinh Nguyen
• Business Manager: Joline Laliberte
• Director of Communications: Jennifer Bussiere
• Director of Evangelization & Catechesis: Tyler Nadeau
• Administrative Assistant, Evangelization & Catechesis: Debra Charest
• Office Assistant: Samantha Ouellette
• Director of Music: Scott Vaillancourt
• Faith Formation with Immigrant Population: Dancile Nshimirimana
• Catholic Chaplain at Bates College: Sr. Jacinta Coscia, FSE

Parish Ministries and Faith Formation

Prince of Peace Parish runs an unusually broad set of ministries rooted in the immigrant character of the Basilica. Evangelization is led by Tyler Nadeau and supported by the 'Each One Catch One' initiative; faith formation for immigrants is coordinated by Dancile Nshimirimana. Summer youth catechesis is offered through Totus Tuus, and ongoing formation is provided through Small Faith Sharing Groups and the Lewiston-Auburn Catholic Young Adults group.

• Each One Catch One (parish evangelization)
• Totus Tuus (summer youth catechesis)
• Small Faith Sharing Groups (men, women, teens)
• Lewiston-Auburn Catholic Young Adults (ages 18–35)
• African Catholic Community / French Mass with choir Notre Dame de la Paix
• Faith Formation with Immigrant Population
• Catholic chaplaincy at Bates College
• Music ministry (Director of Music Scott Vaillancourt)
• Funeral Planning
• Property Task Force

Schools and Education

The parish's Catholic school is Saint Dominic Academy, serving Pre-K through 12, located at 17 Baird Avenue in Lewiston, with principal Dawn Theriault.

• Saint Dominic Academy (Pre-K–12)
• 17 Baird Avenue, Lewiston, ME 04240
• Phone: 207-783-9323 — http://www.stdomsmaine.org

Prince of Peace Parish — Sister Churches

Since 2009 the Basilica has been the anchor of Prince of Peace Parish, a multi-site community combining five worship locations in Lewiston, Auburn, Lisbon Falls, and Sabattus.

• Basilica of SS. Peter & Paul (1870) — 122 Ash Street, Lewiston
• Holy Family Church (1923) — 607 Sabattus Street, Lewiston
• Holy Cross Church (1923) — 1080 Lisbon Street, Lewiston
• Our Lady of the Rosary Church (1975) — 131 High Street, Sabattus
• Holy Trinity Church (1995) — 67 Frost Hill Avenue, Lisbon Falls

Visiting and Pilgrimage

The Basilica is an active pilgrimage site, hosting events such as the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage (with Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction in the upper church). Tours can be arranged through the parish office; visitors are welcome to attend any of the regularly scheduled Masses, admire the Brumidi paintings, the 1948 stained glass, the Casavant organs, and the soaring barrel-vaulted ceiling.