About St. Peter · Canton, Ohio
St. Peter Catholic Church in Canton, Ohio is a historic parish founded in 1845 by German-speaking parishioners of the Basilica of Saint John the Baptist who wanted to preserve their native language and faith. The current Gothic Revival church at 726 Cleveland Avenue NW was dedicated on May 22, 1879, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. Since July 1, 2024, St. Peter has been merged with the Basilica of Saint John the Baptist to form the Basilica of Saint John the Baptist and Saint Peter Parish, which maintains both historic worship sites in downtown Canton. The parish serves the community through its K-5 school, faith formation programs, food pantry, music ministry, and devotional life connected to Servant of God Rhoda Wise.
- Established
- 1845
- Patron
- Saint Peter (parish); the merged parish also venerates Saint John the Baptist
- Rector
- Very Rev. Dr. David M. Misbrener, D.Min.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Youngstown
Why belong here
St. Peter offers the rare combination of a historic downtown Canton worship site (a National Register-listed Gothic Revival church) and a lively Catholic community grounded in education, music, and charity. The parish feeds the hungry through the Samaritan's Table and food pantry, forms young disciples at St. Peter School (pre-K through 5th grade), and nurtures adult faith through Bible study, a parish book club, CCD, and senior ministry. Its devotional life is enriched by the cause of Servant of God Rhoda Wise and a tradition of organ and classical concerts that draw the wider community.
Mass times at St. Peter
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–3:30 PM at the Basilica of St. John (Oct 1–Apr 30)
- Saturday 3:00–3:30 PM at St. Peter Church (May 1–Oct 31)
- By appointment — contact the parish office at 330-453-8493
- Communal Penance Services during Advent and Lent (see bulletin)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration (coordinated through the parish — contact coordinator Christine Burger at the parish office)
Parish History
Founded in 1845 by German-speaking parishioners of the Basilica of St. John the Baptist, St. Peter Parish grew alongside Canton's 19th-century Catholic community. The original church was dedicated August 29, 1847, and the school opened in 1860. The current Gothic Revival church, dedicated in 1879, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.
- Parish founded 1845
- First church dedicated August 29, 1847
- St. Peter School opened 1860
- Notre Dame Sisters arrived 1883
- Current Gothic church dedicated May 22, 1879
- New school building opened November 1890
- Added to National Register of Historic Places March 22, 1990
- Merged with Basilica of St. John the Baptist on July 1, 2024
Worship Sites & Architecture
St. Peter Church is a Gothic Revival structure at 720–726 Cleveland Avenue NW that is notable for its beauty and craftsmanship, earning it a place on the National Register of Historic Places. Following the 2024 merger, the parish continues to maintain both the St. Peter worship site and the Basilica of Saint John the Baptist at 627 McKinley Avenue NW.
- Gothic Revival architectural style
- Built 1875; dedicated May 22, 1879
- NRHP reference No. 90000472 (added March 22, 1990)
- Companion worship site: Basilica of Saint John the Baptist (627 McKinley Ave. NW)
Mass & Liturgical Schedule
Following the 2024 merger, the two worship sites share a rotating weekend Mass schedule between November and April and again between May and October, so that each community continues to worship in its historic church for part of the year. Weekday Masses are celebrated at St. Peter Church, the Basilica, and the Gallagher Center Chapel.
- Saturday Vigil 4:00 PM — Basilica (Nov–Apr) / St. Peter (May–Oct)
- Sunday 8:30 AM — St. Peter (Nov–Apr) / Basilica (May–Oct)
- Sunday 10:30 AM — Basilica (Nov–Apr) / St. Peter (May–Oct)
- Tuesday 6:00 PM Mass with 5:45 PM Benediction at the Basilica
- Wednesday and Thursday 8:30 AM at the Gallagher Center Chapel
- Friday 8:30 AM at St. Peter (during school year)
St. Peter School
St. Peter School serves pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade students as part of the Stark County Catholic School System. Originally opened in 1860 and long staffed by the Notre Dame Sisters (1883–late 1990s), the school continues to form young believers in Gospel values alongside an excellent academic education.
- Address: 702 Cleveland Avenue NW, Canton, OH 44702
- Phone: 330-452-0125
- Principal: John Airhart
- Email: [email protected]
- Part of the Stark County Catholic School System
- New school building opened November 1890
Religious Education & Faith Formation
The parish offers CCD (religious education) for children and a range of adult faith-formation opportunities shared with the Basilica of St. John community, including weekly Bible study and a parish book club.
- Director of Religious Education: Madison Harwood
- CCD for parish children
- Bible Study — Thursday 9:30–11:00 AM at the Gallagher Center
- Parish Book Club — 2nd & 4th Thursday 7:00–8:00 PM at the St. Peter Rectory
- First Communion preparation typically in 2nd grade
Music & Liturgical Ministries
Vibrant liturgical music is one of the parish's defining charisms. The choir welcomes new members, and instrumentalists are invited to share their talents for special liturgies. The same music team serves both worship sites of the merged parish.
- Organist & Director of Music/Liturgy: Robert Sullivan
- Parish Choir — contact Robert Sullivan at 330-454-8044
- Instrumentalists for special liturgies and prayer services
- Liturgy Committee assists the pastor in enhancing worship
Outreach & Charity
Charitable outreach is central to parish life. The Samaritan's Table provides weekly meals, and the parish food pantry serves neighbors in need, supported by a parish coordinator and volunteers.
- Samaritan's Table (weekly food ministry)
- Parish Food Pantry (coordinator: Mike Suttle)
- Senior Ministry outreach
- Annual collections and special appeals
Liturgical & Parish Ministries
Parishioners are invited to participate in the many liturgical and parish service ministries that keep weekend and weekday Masses running smoothly and extend the parish's presence to the homebound and wider community.
- Altar Servers
- Lectors
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (at Mass and to the Homebound)
- Ushers
- Collection Counters
- Sacristy and Environment Assistance
Servant of God Rhoda Wise
Rhoda Wise was a member of St. Peter Parish whose holiness, suffering, and devotion to the Sacred Heart, the Rosary, and St. Thérèse of Lisieux have inspired thousands. In 2017 the Diocese of Youngstown declared her a Servant of God, opening her cause for canonization, which is now under study by the Vatican's Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. The parish hosts an annual Mass for her cause each July 7, and her home at 2337 25th Street NE remains a place of pilgrimage.
- Confirmed Catholic March 1939 at Mercy Hospital, Canton
- Declared Servant of God in 2017 by Bishop Murry
- Cause for beatification under Vatican investigation
- Annual July 7 Mass at St. Peter with the Bishop of Youngstown
- Rhoda Wise House & Grotto open for prayer at 2337 25th Street NE
Parish Festivities & Fundraisers
Beyond weekly worship, the parish community gathers throughout the year for celebrations that raise funds for St. Peter School and strengthen fellowship across both worship sites.
- Annual Oktoberfest
- Annual Mass for Servant of God Rhoda Wise (July 7)
- Organ and classical music concerts
- Parish meals and fundraising events throughout the year
Saint Peter Cemetery
Saint Peter Cemetery was established in 1847, the same year the first church was dedicated. It remains an active parish cemetery serving families of the community.
- Founded 1847
- Hours: Sunday–Friday 8:00 AM–4:00 PM; Sunday 8:00 AM–12:00 PM
- Contact the parish office for burial arrangements
Parish Staff & Contacts
The merged parish is led by a pastor/rector supported by a team of clergy, school leadership, music, faith formation, and administrative staff serving both worship sites.
- Pastor/Rector: Very Rev. Dr. David M. Misbrener, D.Min.
- Pastor Emeritus (St. Peter): Rev. Edward L. Beneleit
- Permanent Deacon: Michael Seaman
- Bookkeeper: Joseph Zuschak
- Diocesan Pastoral Associate: Pattie Condello
- Organist & Director of Music/Liturgy: Robert Sullivan
- Director of Religious Education: Madison Harwood
- Parish Secretary: Lori Roethlisberger
- School Principal: John Airhart
- Parish Office: 330-453-8493 — [email protected]
- School Office: 330-452-0125 — [email protected]
- Basilica email: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Very Rev. John E. Sheridan, S.T.L.
Listed as Rector/Pastor of St. Peter in a 2021 bulletin
- Very Rev. Dr. David M. Misbrener, D.Min.
Current pastor/rector of the merged Basilica of Saint John the Baptist and Saint Peter Parish