St. Peter

History of St. Peter's Parish

St. Peter's traces its origins to 1859, when French-Canadian families first settled the Jefferson area along the upper Missouri. A small log chapel-and-schoolhouse was built north of the present church in 1862, and on February 22, 1867 the Catholic residents organized the first Catholic mission in southern Dakota Territory. The parish takes its name — by tradition — from Peter Limoges, who donated the land for the church for one dollar in 1871, stipulating that a Roman Catholic church be maintained on the site.

• 1859 – Jefferson settled predominantly by French-Canadian families
• 1862 – Log chapel/schoolhouse built north of the present church
• 1867 – First Catholic mission organized in southern Dakota (Feb. 22)
• 1869 – Larger wooden church dedicated with Father Pierre Boucher
• 1889 – Three-story brick parochial school built ($4,000)
• 1891 – Construction begins on the present brick church
• 1892 – First services held in new church; dedication in July
• 1952 – New grade-school/convent complex completed
• 1989 – Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
• 2014 – Pastorally linked with St. Joseph (Elk Point) and St. Teresa of Calcutta (Dakota Dunes)

Father Pierre Boucher and the Grasshopper Pilgrimages

Father Pierre Boucher, who arrived as the parish's first resident priest in 1869, is remembered as one of South Dakota's pioneer Catholic clergy. During the devastating grasshopper plagues of the 1870s, he led his parishioners on two extraordinary Rogation Day pilgrimages — a thirteen-mile triangular route in 1874 and an eleven-mile procession in May 1876 — to invoke divine protection for the crops. Three wooden Grasshopper Crosses were erected to mark the route; the largest cross still stands in the St. Peter's churchyard, and Father Boucher's 1876 event is commemorated in parish history as a defining moment of pioneer faith.

The 1891 Church Building

The present brick church was begun in August 1891 during the pastorate of Father Cyrille St. Pierre. Builder Frank X. Babue of Sioux City directed construction; parish records show total costs of either $14,224 or $17,800. First Masses were celebrated in the new church in February 1892, with formal dedication in July 1892. The building is a fine, well-preserved example of Early Romanesque Revival design and was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP #89000833) on July 19, 1989.

• Romanesque Revival style with round-arch windows and doors
• Round-arch corbeling and a dominating bell tower with tall spire
• Side aisles, polygonal apse, no transepts
• Tall Corinthian columns inside
• Pipe organ installed 1912 ($4,200)
• Steeple and bell tower restored in 1988 ($30,000)

Interior Features and Art

St. Peter's is especially noted for its interior appointments, which reflect more than a century of devotional craftsmanship. The hand-painted altar mural depicting the Ascension of Christ is the work of artist Henry Goering, who came to St. Peter's in 1930 and completed the mural between 1926 and 1935. Stations of the Cross brought from Canada in the early years still hang in the church, along with many statues.

Sacraments and Devotions

In addition to the regular Mass and confession schedule, St. Peter's shares in the sacramental life of the Holy Angels Pastorate, which coordinates Baptisms, Marriages, Anointing of the Sick, and other rites across Jefferson, Elk Point, and Dakota Dunes. Vocations inquiries can be directed to Father David Roehrich of the pastorate, who can connect inquirers with the diocesan Vocation Director, Fr. Michael Kapperman.

Faith Formation and Youth

Religious Education for St. Peter and St. Joseph families (Kindergarten through Grade 6) meets Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:00 PM at St. Joseph's in Elk Point, under the direction of CCD Director Dorothy Schmidt. Youth Discipleship gathers in small mentor-led groups on Wednesday evenings during the school year, with combined gatherings of the Elk Point, Jefferson, and Dakota Dunes youth for events such as the Stations of the Cross and visits from diocesan speakers including Fr. Michael Kapperman, Director of Vocations.

• Religious Education (K–6), Wed 6:00–7:00 PM at St. Joseph's, Elk Point
• Youth Discipleship small groups, Wed evenings in school year
• Diocesan vocation visits and ministry events

Holy Angels Pastorate

Since July 2014, St. Peter's has shared pastoral leadership with St. Joseph in Elk Point and Blessed Teresa of Calcutta in Dakota Dunes — and within a wider Holy Angels Pastorate that also includes St. Agnes (Vermillion), St. Patrick (Wakonda), and the St. Thomas More Newman Center at the University of South Dakota. Fr. Kevin Doyle serves as Pastor, assisted by Parochial Vicars Fr. John Rutten and Fr. David Roehrich, Priest Director Fr. Terry Anderson, and Deacons Joseph Twidwell, Peter Sexton, and Dennis Davis. The Director of Discipleship and Evangelization is Monica Elsinger, with Danielle Hanson as Business Manager.

• St. Joseph — Elk Point, SD
• Blessed Teresa of Calcutta — Dakota Dunes, SD
• St. Agnes — Vermillion, SD
• St. Patrick — Wakonda, SD
• St. Thomas More Newman Center (USD) — Vermillion, SD

Parish Staff and Contacts

The St. Peter parish office is staffed by Office Administrator Jean Limoges, with CCD Director Dorothy Schmidt (also reached at 605-356-2443). The parish phone is (605) 966-5716 and the office email is [email protected]. Mailing address is PO Box 188, 402 Main Street, Jefferson, SD 57038; the fax line is (605) 966-5492.

• Office Administrator — Jean Limoges
• CCD Director — Dorothy Schmidt (605-356-2443)
• Pastorate Director of Discipleship & Evangelization — Monica Elsinger

National Register and Historic Significance

St. Peter's Catholic Church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 19, 1989, under NRHP reference #89000833. The property is significant under Criteria A and C for its associations with Exploration/Settlement (French-Canadian Catholic settlement of Union County) and for its Architecture as a fine, largely intact example of Early Romanesque Revival ecclesiastical design. The tall steeple is a landmark visible for miles across the surrounding prairie; the church remains a tribute to the French Canadians who settled the region.