About St. Peter · Eaton Rapids, Michigan
St. Peter Roman Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Lansing located at 515 East Knight Street in Eaton Rapids, Michigan — a small town known as 'The Island City' for the waterways that wrap around it. The parish's mission is 'to bring the hope of Jesus Christ to the people of Eaton Rapids through divine worship and works of mercy.' St. Peter offers weekend and daily Mass, reconciliation, Eucharistic adoration, faith formation for children and adults, a Knights of Columbus council, a St. Vincent de Paul conference with a Clothing Barn and Food Bank, and a beloved annual Ox Roast Festival & Carnival held every May. Worship is celebrated in English, and the parish welcomes visitors from across Eaton County and beyond.
- Established
- 1891
- Patron
- St. Peter (Apostle)
- Rector
- Fr. Mark Martin
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lansing
Why belong here
St. Peter is a small-town parish where members genuinely know one another, set in the heart of Eaton Rapids within walking distance of the historic downtown. Daily and weekend Mass, weekly Eucharistic adoration and benediction, and a robust schedule of confession offer steady spiritual rhythm. A real network of formation and service — OCIA for adults, K–12 faith formation, men's and women's ministries, a Youth Group, Knights of Columbus, and St. Vincent de Paul with a working Clothing Barn and Food Bank — gives every parishioner a place to serve. The annual Ox Roast Festival & Carnival and the parish Feast Day picnic turn the campus into a true community gathering ground.
Mass times at St. Peter
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 5:30 – 6:15 p.m.
- Saturday: 4:00 – 4:45 p.m.
- Other times by appointment — call 517-663-4735
Adoration times
- Wednesday: Adoration with Benediction at Noon (following the 8:00 a.m. Mass)
Our Story & Heritage
Catholic life in Eaton Rapids began in 1878 when Fr. Louis VanDriss celebrated the first Mass in the home of Frank Birney. The community organized formally in 1891, and after passing through a 'St. Francis' era between 1895 and 1915, the parish was dedicated to St. Peter in 1915. For much of its history St. Peter was a mission — first attached to St. John in Jackson, then to parishes in Hastings, Albion, and finally St. Mary in Charlotte (1918–1962). The Diocese of Lansing raised St. Peter to full parish status in 1962, and the parish has grown steadily since, building its current church in 1993–1994 and its Pavilion in 2001.
- 1878 — first Mass said at Frank Birney's home by Fr. Louis VanDriss
- 1891 — old Episcopal Church purchased and dedicated September 27
- 1895–1915 — parish known as St. Francis
- 1915 — name officially changed to St. Peter
- 1962 — raised to parish status by Bishop Joseph H. Albers
- 1965 — new church on Knight Street dedicated May 19
- 1991 — Centennial celebrated September 8 with Bishop Povish
- 1994 — current church inaugurated May 22 (Pentecost); dedicated October 23
- 2001 — Pavilion built with gift from the Owen family
Meet Our Pastor
Fr. Mark Martin became pastor of St. Peter in August 2025. A Michigan native, he was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and came into the Catholic Church during his junior year of high school, being baptized and confirmed at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Hillsdale. He earned a degree in Biochemistry from Oakland University (December 2014), entered Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit in 2015, and was ordained to the priesthood on June 12, 2021. He served as Parochial Vicar at St. Gerard Catholic Church in Lansing before being named pastor of St. Peter.
- Ordained a priest June 12, 2021
- Converted to Catholicism in high school at St. Anthony, Hillsdale
- Previous assignment: Parochial Vicar, St. Gerard, Lansing
Parish Staff
Beyond Fr. Martin, the parish is served by a small, dedicated lay staff. Jessica Schaub serves as Music Director; Laurel LaPorte is the Office Manager and Faith Formation Coordinator; Gerry Lovejoy (President of St. Vincent de Paul since 2013 and a Knight of Columbus for over 34 years) handles maintenance; and Tom Carpenter also serves on the maintenance team. Parishioner Gerry Lovejoy has been a Knight for over 24 years and has served on both Parish and Finance Councils.
- Fr. Mark Martin — Pastor
- Jessica Schaub — Music Director
- Laurel LaPorte — Office Manager / Faith Formation Coordinator
- Gerry Lovejoy — Maintenance; SVdP President
- Tom Carpenter — Maintenance
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at St. Peter runs Sunday mornings from September 7, 2025 through May 3, 2026, for children in Kindergarten through 12th grade. The program prepares classrooms and lessons to inspire children to learn the history of the Faith, to love Jesus, to pray, and to serve. A separate Confirmation Preparation track helps young people deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ through prayer, study, service, and parish life. Adults have their own parallel offerings between the Sunday Masses.
- Formation Classes K–12 (Sundays, school year)
- Confirmation Preparation
- Adult 'Theology & Coffee' — Sundays 9:00–10:15 a.m.
- Becoming Catholic — OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
Adult Faith, Men, Women & Youth
Adults gather between Sunday Masses for 'Theology & Coffee' — a free class with video lessons, discussion, coffee and donuts. The Men's Ministry (which also runs a Coffee & Fellowship Group on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays, 9:00–11:00 a.m.) supports men in growing in faith and friendship. The Women's Ministry offers a welcoming space for prayer, fellowship, and Scripture study. High school students meet Sunday mornings, 9:00–10:15 a.m., to pray, study the Sunday Scripture readings, and participate in service together.
- Men's Ministry + Coffee & Fellowship (1st & 3rd Saturdays)
- Women's Ministry (prayer, fellowship, Scripture)
- High School Youth Group (Sundays 9:00–10:15 a.m.)
- OCIA for adults seeking full initiation
St. Vincent de Paul & Outreach
The parish's St. Vincent de Paul Conference is one of its most active ministries, providing rent and utility assistance to neighbors in need and operating two thriving direct-service programs on the parish campus: a Clothing Barn and a Food Bank. The Clothing Barn is open Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; the Food Bank is open Tuesdays from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. No appointment is needed for either. For help with rent or utilities, the SVdP line is 517-920-0704.
- Rent & Utility Assistance: 517-920-0704
- Clothing Barn — Tuesdays 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
- Food Bank — Tuesdays 2:00–4:00 p.m.
- Gerry Lovejoy — SVdP Conference President
Knights of Columbus
St. Peter's Knights of Columbus council is a vibrant part of parish life — described by the parish as 'No need for armor, just a desire to be Knightly and to serve the community.' Council members support parish events (including the Ox Roast Festival & Carnival and the St. Peter Feast Day picnic), serve on Parish and Finance Councils, and assist with hands-on projects around the campus.
- Active council on campus
- Supports Ox Roast Festival & Feast Day picnic
- Members serve on Parish and Finance Councils
Music Ministry
Music Ministry Director Jessica Schaub leads the parish's liturgical music program, working to assist all in honoring the Lord and experiencing God's presence and love through music at every Liturgy. Worshipful music at St. Peter takes many forms, from traditional hymnody to contemporary expressions.
- Director: Jessica Schaub
- Supports weekend and daily Masses
- Engages parishioners of all musical backgrounds
Annual Events & Parish Festival
St. Peter hosts two flagship community events each year. The St. Peter Ox Roast Festival & Carnival (May 14–17, 2026) features homemade Ox Roast sandwiches, the Pavilion, Bingo, Euchre, Cribbage, Checkers, Chess and more; Thursday is Family Night. Each summer the parish also celebrates the Feast of St. Peter on the Sunday nearest June 29 with Feast Day Masses at 8:00 and 10:30 a.m., followed by the Annual St. Peter Family Picnic Potluck with games hosted by the Knights of Columbus.
- Ox Roast Festival & Carnival — May 14–17, 2026
- Pavilion Clean Up Day in May ahead of the Festival
- St. Peter Feast Day Masses & Family Picnic — Sunday June 28
Giving & Online Donations
Parishioners and friends can support St. Peter through online giving, which the parish encourages especially for those who forget their envelope. Contributions support parish ministry, care for parishioners and neighbors, and (via the DSA) the wider charities of the Diocese of Lansing.
- Online Giving available through the parish website
- Diocesan Service Appeal (DSA) supported
- Bulletin available via email signup
Visit Us in Eaton Rapids
Eaton Rapids, known as 'The Island City' for the waterways that wrap around it, has a captivating small-town Main Street of shops, restaurants, and businesses. Just up Knight Street from downtown, St. Peter's sprawling campus is tucked into a comfortable neighborhood. The parish invites visitors to worship with them, join a ministry, or simply stop by the office for a visit.
- Address: 515 East Knight Street, Eaton Rapids, MI 48827
- Phone: (517) 663-4735
- Website: https://spceatonrapids.org/
- From M-99 / M-50: East on Knight Street, 0.4 miles on the left
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Louis VanDriss1878–c.1891
Celebrated the first Mass in Eaton Rapids in 1878 at the home of Frank Birney; oversaw purchase of the old Episcopal Church dedicated September 27, 1891.
- Fr. Theophilus Buyse1878–c.1891
Alternated with Fr. VanDriss in monthly First Monday Masses from St. John Parish, Jackson.
- Fr. Lockwood1923–1938
Oversaw the 1930–1935 renovation funded by parishioner Margaret Bromeling; church reopened October 20, 1935.
- Fr. Paul Donovan1951–1955
Purchased the house next to the parish in 1952 for catechesis and meetings.
- Rev. Charles Crowley1962–1966
First resident pastor after St. Peter was raised to parish status in 1962; oversaw purchase of the Miller Dairy Farm property and construction of the new church dedicated May 19, 1965.
- Fr. William Koenigsknecht1971–1982
Began the annual Parish Festival tradition.
- Fr. Bennett P. Constantine1991–2015
Led construction of the current church, inaugurated May 22, 1994.
- Rev. Fr. George Puthenpeedika2015–2025
Appointed by Bishop Earl Boyea; installed August 20, 2015.
- Fr. Mark Martin2025–present
Began as pastor in August 2025; previously Parochial Vicar of St. Gerard, Lansing.