St. Peter

Welcome to St. Peter's

St. Peter's Catholic Church is a small but vibrant Roman Catholic parish in the North Texas town of Lindsay. The parish invites new visitors to register as parishioners through the Online Registration Form or by stopping by the Parish Office. The church building is open daily to visitors between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM, and the staff encourage newcomers to explore the About and History sections and to see pictures of the inside and outside of the historic building.

• Online Registration Form available on the parish website
• Parish Office: (940) 668-7609
• Building open to visitors 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM daily

History of St. Peter's

St. Peter's traces its origins to 1891, when German Catholic colonists led by Anton Flusche settled in North Texas and named the town Lindsay in honor of a Gainesville judge who financed the settlement and donated land for a church. The settlers first met for prayer in Anton Flusche's home on January 1, 1892, and celebrated the first Mass in a small church they built that Easter. A long succession of Benedictine pastors began with Fr. John Troxler, O.S.B., in 1899, who oversaw construction of a larger church completed in 1903. On May 31, 1917, a tornado nearly destroyed that church, leaving the apse, three altars, facade, and steeple intact. The community rebuilt, finishing the present 1918 Romanesque church designed by Frank A. Ludewig in just over a year. The 2009–2011 $4.9 million restoration repaired decades of hidden water damage, replastering and repainting the gorgeously patterned interior and overhauling the roof and foundation.

• 1891: German Catholic colonists led by Anton Flusche settle
• 1892: First Mass celebrated Easter Sunday in the first church
• 1899: Fr. John Troxler, O.S.B., becomes first Benedictine pastor
• 1903: Larger second church completed
• May 31, 1917: Tornado destroys second church, sparing apse and altars
• Autumn 1918: Present Romanesque church completed (architect Frank A. Ludewig)
• 1970: Designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark (#5077)
• May 25, 1979: Added to the National Register of Historic Places (#79002927)
• 2009: Painted plaster begins to fail; major restoration launched
• 2011: $4.9 million restoration completed in two years

Honoring Our Heritage, Ensuring Our Future

The parish frames its preservation work as a stewardship duty to hand both the Faith and the building to successive generations — the theme of the church's history page. The 2009–2011 restoration left St. Peter's in pristine condition so that future generations of parishioners can continue to worship in the same sanctuary their ancestors built.

Parish Staff and Clergy

St. Peter's is led by Fr. Martin (Pastor). Deacon Ralph Lira serves as Director of Religious Education (DRE), reachable at [email protected]. Mrs. Beth Kelley is the Business Manager and assists with parish registration, funeral arrangements, and cemetery plot purchases. Mr. Mat Burkepile serves as Director of Music and Liturgy (ext. 25). The Safe Environment Program is administered through VIRTUS, with parishioners registering under the Diocese of Fort Worth and associating with St. Peter's.

• Fr. Martin — Pastor
• Deacon Ralph Lira — Director of Religious Education ([email protected])
• Mrs. Beth Kelley — Business Manager ([email protected])
• Mr. Mat Burkepile — Director of Music and Liturgy, ext. 25
• Parish Secretary — Mrs. Beth Kelley
• Parish Office: [email protected]

Music and Liturgy Ministry

St. Peter's employs a rich tradition of liturgical music — hymns, psalms, antiphons, and songs of prayer and worship — led by choir, cantors, and organ in English, Latin, and German. The music ministry also serves weddings and funerals and hosts concerts, recitals, and workshops. Director Mat Burkepile welcomes new members across several ensembles that rehearse during the week in Conrad Hall.

• Children's Choir — grades 3–6; rehearses Wednesdays 3:30–4:30 PM in Conrad Hall; leads Monday/Friday 7:40 AM and first Saturday 5:30 PM Masses during the school year, plus community Christmas performances
• Schola Cantorum — adult choir singing mainly at Sunday Masses and special occasions
• Cantors — strong solo singers leading responses at Saturday Vigil and Sunday Masses, Wednesdays, weddings, and funerals
• Youth Choir (in development) — grades 7–12, rehearsing and singing on 2nd and 4th Saturday Vigil Masses
• The Keys of Saint Peter's — hand-selected young musicians; practices with the Children's Choir and additional 30-minute session on Wednesdays
• Saint Cecilia's Instrumentalists — approved accompanists serving the choirs as needed
• Music for weddings and funerals available through the music ministry

Faith Formation and Sacraments

The Faith Formation program at St. Peter's prepares children for the sacraments in the 2nd grade, including both First Confession and First Holy Communion. The First Communion Mass is normally held the first Sunday of May in conjunction with May Crowning. Families preferring homeschool preparation may complete a special form, and Baptismal Certificates from other parishes are required when applicable. Adult inquirers are welcomed through the RCIA process via the Adult Inquirer Interest Form.

• Faith Formation / Religious Education classes
• First Holy Communion (2nd grade)
• First Confession (during First Communion prep year)
• Homeschool First Communion Information Form available
• RCIA / Adult Inquirer Information Form
• Contact: Deacon Ralph Lira, [email protected]

Anointing of the Sick and Funerals

Those suffering from a life-threatening illness, preparing for surgery, or weakened by age are encouraged to receive Anointing of the Sick; the priest can also administer the sacrament at home or in the hospital. For funerals, families are asked to notify the parish immediately; outside of business hours the answering machine provides instructions for reaching the priest in an emergency. Funerals are arranged through Business Manager Beth Kelley, who also assists with the selection and purchase of a cemetery plot in the parish cemetery.

• Anointing of the Sick available at church, home, or hospital
• After-hours emergency line for reaching the priest
• Funeral planning through Mrs. Beth Kelley, Business Manager
• Parish cemetery plots available through the Parish Office

Outreach and Stewardship

Beyond day-to-day parish life, St. Peter's supports the wider Catholic community through the Annual Diocesan Appeal of the Diocese of Fort Worth, which funds ministries, schools, and parishes across the 28-county diocese. The parish also runs the diocesan Safe Environment Program through VIRTUS, ensuring all volunteers working with minors are properly registered and trained. Parishioners can stay informed about announcements through Evangelus messages.

• Annual Diocesan Appeal (Diocese of Fort Worth)
• Safe Environment Program (VIRTUS) — Diocese of Fort Worth affiliation
• Evangelus Messages — parish announcements sign-up
• Bishop Olson's Pastoral Letters shared with parishioners

Visiting St. Peter's

Visitors are warmly welcomed at the historic church building, which is open daily from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Out of respect for worshippers, no photography or tours are permitted during Masses, Wednesday Adoration (5–6 PM), or Thursday Adoration (3–9 PM). Free group tours may be scheduled through the Parish Office; donations toward building maintenance are appreciated.

• Visiting hours: daily 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
• No tours or photography during Mass or Adoration
• Free group tours by appointment — call (940) 668-7609
• Donations welcomed for building maintenance
• Custom-designed playground on parish property for children of Lindsay