About St. Peter · Madison, Wisconsin
St. Peter Catholic Church is a Roman Rite parish of the Diocese of Madison located on the north side of Madison, Wisconsin, at 5001 North Sherman Avenue (ZIP 53704-1499). It is currently a worship site of Queen of Apostles Parish, formed in 2024 by the merger of St. Dennis Parish and St. Peter Parish under Bishop Donald J. Hying's 'Into the Deep' pastoral planning initiative. The parish is served by Pastor Fr. Gary Krahenbuhl and Parochial Vicar Fr. Michael Tarigopula, with a small but devoted community that gathers for daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and parish fellowship on Madison's north side.
- Established
- 1893
- Patron
- St. Peter (the Apostle)
- Rector
- Fr. Gary Krahenbuhl (Pastor of Queen of Apostles Parish; St. Peter retained as a worship site)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Madison
Why belong here
St. Peter offers an intimate, welcoming worship community on Madison's north side, with weekday and weekend Masses, weekly Eucharistic Adoration on Tuesdays, and regular Reconciliation. Parishioners enjoy being part of the merged Queen of Apostles Parish, which combines the historic character of St. Peter (built 1893 with Munich-carved wooden altars) with the resources of neighboring St. Dennis Parish and St. Dennis School. The parish is praised by visitors for its warm clergy, family-friendly environment, and accessibility for those with mobility needs.
Mass times at St. Peter
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM (and by appointment)
Adoration times
- Tuesday 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About St. Peter Catholic Church
St. Peter Catholic Church is a Roman Rite parish in the Diocese of Madison, located at 5001 North Sherman Avenue on the north side of Madison, Wisconsin. Originally established in the late 19th century, St. Peter today functions as a worship site of Queen of Apostles Parish following a 2024 merger. Visitors describe the parish as a warm, family-friendly community with welcoming clergy and a peaceful atmosphere for prayer.
- Roman Rite Catholic parish in the Diocese of Madison
- Located at 5001 N Sherman Avenue, Madison, WI 53704-1499
- Phone: (608) 249-6651
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: stpetermadison.org
Parish History
St. Peter's Catholic Church was completed in 1893 at a cost of $19,300, built under the guidance of Father Carl Grobschmidt. The historic building contains three large wooden altars with wood-carved statues from Munich, reflecting the German Catholic heritage of late-19th-century Madison. In the 21st century, the parish became part of Bishop Donald J. Hying's 'Into the Deep' pastoral planning initiative.
- Church completed 1893, cost $19,300
- Built under Fr. Carl Grobschmidt
- Three large wooden altars with Munich-carved statues
- Merged into Queen of Apostles Parish (effective 2024)
Queen of Apostles Parish (Merger into a New Parish)
In July 2023, St. Peter and neighboring St. Dennis Parish were brought together as the Queen of Apostles Pastorate under the Diocese of Madison's 'Into the Deep' strategic plan. Fr. Gary Krahenbuhl was assigned as Parochial Administrator at that time. On March 23, 2024, Bishop Donald J. Hying formally installed Fr. Krahenbuhl as pastor of the newly merged Queen of Apostles Parish at a Mass at St. Dennis Church, concelebrated by Fr. Tait Schroeder (vicar general), Fr. Michael Tarigopula (parochial vicar), and retired assisting priests Fr. William Nolan and Fr. Michael Resop. Permanent Deacons Jack Alexander, David Hendrickson, and William Kearley assisted at the Installation Mass. The two former parishes retain their historic names as worship-site names, and St. Dennis School became part of the new parish.
- Queen of Apostles Pastorate formed July 2023
- St. Peter + St. Dennis + St. Dennis School merged into Queen of Apostles Parish
- Fr. Gary Krahenbuhl installed as first pastor, March 23, 2024, by Bishop Donald J. Hying
- Parish website: qoap.org
Clergy & Staff
St. Peter is served by the clergy of Queen of Apostles Parish. Fr. Gary Krahenbuhl is pastor and Fr. Michael Tarigopula serves as parochial vicar. Three permanent deacons — Jack Alexander, David Hendrickson, and William Kearley — minister in the parish, along with retired priests Fr. William Nolan and Fr. Michael Resop who assist with Masses. Sue Besler serves as Facilities Manager.
- Fr. Gary Krahenbuhl, Pastor ([email protected])
- Fr. Michael Tarigopula, Parochial Vicar ([email protected])
- Deacon Jack Alexander
- Deacon David Hendrickson
- Deacon William Kearley
- Fr. William Nolan (retired, assisting)
- Fr. Michael Resop (retired, assisting)
- Sue Besler, Facilities Manager
Music & Liturgy Ministry
Music and liturgical ministry at St. Peter is led by Brandon Reda, who has served as Director of Music at St. Peter Catholic Church since June 2019 and as Coordinator of Music & Liturgy for the Queen of Apostles Pastorate since July 2024. He also serves as organist and adult choir accompanist. The parish combines its music ministry with the broader Queen of Apostles worship resources, including the St. Dennis Worship group.
- Brandon Reda, Director of Music / Coordinator of Music & Liturgy (since 2019 / 2024)
- Adult choir and organist ministry at St. Peter
- Shared music ministry with Queen of Apostles Parish
Visiting & Accessibility
St. Peter Catholic Church is accessible to those with mobility needs, with wheelchair access and accessible parking on site. Reviewers frequently note the parish as family-friendly and welcoming to visitors, including a noted welcome for the Latino Catholic community in Madison. The parish office can be reached during posted hours by phone.
- Wheelchair-accessible building and parking
- Family-friendly environment, welcoming to visitors
- Welcoming to the Latino Catholic community
- Office: (608) 249-6651
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Carl Grobschmidtearly 1890s
Guided the construction of St. Peter's Catholic Church, completed 1893 at a cost of $19,300.