St. Peter Claver

Founding and Early Years (1964–1969)

The Settegast Community, where St. Peter Claver is located, was established in the late 1940s. Initially, Catholic residents traveled to Our Mother of Mercy Church to attend Mass until the mission church was completed. The early catechism classes were held in local homes and stores, with guidance from Josephite Fathers Charles Tobin, Cornelius S. Sullivan, and Ralph U. McLane. Under the leadership of Bishop Nold, a substantial amount of land was acquired for the Diocese, allowing the mission to evolve into a vibrant territorial parish. The church’s frame structure was completed in June 1964. On July 27, 1964, Bishop Morkovsky blessed the church, which was elevated to parish status in November 1964. Father Henry Harper, SSJ, served as the first pastor. The rectory was built in 1967, and the parish also includes a parish hall. The early years of the Church were very important as the pastor, Father Harper, helped in strengthening the baby steps of the young parish, and he was greatly supported by the founding members of the Church. In September 1967, Father Harper was succeeded by Father John B. Doyle, SSJ. Notably, on February 8, 1969, St. Peter Claver Parish became the first parish to have an African American pastor in the then Diocese of Galveston-Houston, in the person of Father Elbert F. Harris, SSJ. This marked a significant milestone in the African American community as one of our own was deemed fit to be a pastor. It should also be noted that this church became the seventh parish established by the Josephite Fathers and brothers in Houston.

Transition to a Full Parish: Years of Growth, Hurricanes and Covid-19 (1970–2022)

Celebrating 60 Years The sixtieth anniversary of St. Peter Claver Catholic Church in 2024 marked its Diamond Jubilee. The parish has been enriched by the contributions of every Josephite Priest and all priests who have served and enhanced the spiritual and cultural well-being of parishioners. Since the last anniversary celebration, the parish has been guided by several priests, including Rev. Roland Ennette, SSJ; Rev. Romanus Muoneke, SSJ; Rev. Kenneth J. Howard, SSJ; Rev. Kingsley Ogbuji, SSJ; Rev. Thomas Frank, SSJ; and the current pastor, Rev. Augustine Adetola. These, and many others before them, have helped in shaping the course of our history as a church. They have nurtured and continue to nurture the faith in the minds of both young and old. Community Impact and Future Aspirations Since its inception, St. Peter Claver Catholic Church has been a cornerstone of social service and support for its parishioners and the surrounding community. The parish has also embraced cultural diversity, offering Mass services in Spanish for Hispanic American families. The Spanish mass was added in 2013 to reflect the presence of the Hispanic population in the Settegast community and to make the church a home for everyone. From a church that began with 125 families, we can now boast of a church with over 300 families, as of our 60th anniversary. We remain grateful to God who has led us for all these years, and we appreciate every family that has contributed to the growth and progress of this Church. We are filled with great eagerness and joy as we look to the future with hope and faith, confident that the next sixty years will be better than before.

Ministries and Services

St. Peter Claver offers a wide range of ministries and services to support its community. These include food and faith outreach, adult volunteer registration, baptism and confirmation registration, weekly Bible sharing via phone, daily readings, and live-streamed Mass on YouTube. The parish also provides spiritual care during crises, such as hurricanes and the pandemic, and continues to serve through online Masses and visits to the sick and elderly. The church is committed to inclusivity and cultural diversity, offering Mass in both English and Spanish.

• Food and Faith Outreach
• Adult Volunteer Registration
• Baptism Registration
• Confirmation Registration
• Weekly Bible Sharing (Wednesday 6:00 pm)
• Daily Readings via USCCB
• Live Mass on YouTube (Sunday 9:00 am)
• Missed Mass recordings on YouTube

Sacraments and Faith Formation

The parish offers all seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Eucharist, Anointing of the Sick, Marriage, and Holy Orders (via diocese). Faith formation is supported through catechism classes, youth programs, and adult education. The church also provides resources for spiritual growth, including daily readings and Bible sharing. The parish is committed to preparing children and young people to be responsible members of the community, and to supporting social justice initiatives.

• Baptism
• Confirmation
• Reconciliation
• Eucharist
• Anointing of the Sick