About St. Peter · Rutland, Vermont
St. Peter Church is the mother parish of Rutland, Vermont, and one of the oldest Roman Catholic congregations in the region. Originally established in 1855 to serve Irish and French-Canadian immigrant families drawn to Rutland by the railroad and marble industries, the parish built its present Gothic Revival church between 1868 and 1873, designed by the preeminent 19th-century Catholic architect Patrick C. Keely. Since 2006 the parish has been staffed by the Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Mary, and today it operates as a Capuchin-run mission church within the Diocese of Burlington, joined more recently in a regional grouping of southern-Vermont parishes served by the same friars.
- Established
- 1855
- Patron
- St. Peter the Apostle
- Rector
- Fr. Maurice "Moe" Moreau, O.F.M. Cap. (Administrator)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington (Vermont)
Why belong here
St. Peter offers the rare combination of a small, deeply historic parish and a contemplative Capuchin Franciscan charism. Visitors can worship in a Keely-designed Gothic Revival landmark that has anchored Rutland's Catholic life since 1873, hear weekday and Sunday Mass in a quiet, intimate setting, and know the friars by name. The parish also offers a clear pathway to become involved — from Religious Education classes for children, to parish council service, to volunteer opportunities — making it easy for newcomers and returning Catholics to plug in.
Mass times at St. Peter
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Check bulletin for current Adoration schedule
Parish History
St. Peter Parish traces its origins to 1855, when Rutland finally received its own priest after Bishop de Goesbriand recruited Rev. Druon from France. The present church was built 1868–1873 under the long rectorship of Father Charles J. Boylan and is a keystone of Rutland's historic Catholic hilltop. The full parish history is linked from the 'About Us' section of the parish website.
- 1855 — First St. Peter's church built on Meadow Street
- 1857 — Father Charles J. Boylan accepts leadership of the parish
- 1867 — "Ledge" lot purchased on Convent Avenue; Italianate brick school built
- 1868–1873 — Present Gothic Revival church designed by Patrick C. Keely and constructed by parishioners
- Easter Sunday 1873 — Present church dedicated
- 1873 — Sisters of St. Joseph arrive from Flushing, NY to teach in the parish school
- 1950 — Renovation under Rev. Robert Joyce
- 1973 — Renovation under Msgr. Thomas Connor
- 1980 — Listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP #80000388)
- 2000–2004 — Major restoration under Rev. W. André Houle
- 2006 — Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Mary assumes pastoral care
The Church Building
Designed by Patrick Charles Keely of Brooklyn in the Gothic Revival style, St. Peter's is built of stone quarried from the site by the very families who would worship in it. It is 150 feet long, 71 feet wide, seats more than 880, and features a tall tower and spire, rugged exterior walls, a lofty interior and notable stained glass. It stands as part of a six-building religious and educational complex together with the former Mount St. Joseph Academy and Sisters' convent.
- Architect: Patrick C. Keely (Brooklyn, NY)
- Style: Gothic Revival with Italianate elements
- Construction: 1868–1873
- Capacity: 880+
- NRHP listing: October 3, 1980 (#80000388)
- Major renovations: 1950, 1973, 2000–2004
Mass & Liturgy
Weekend and weekday Masses are celebrated in English from a simple, clearly posted schedule. Visitors are encouraged to check the parish bulletin for any changes and to consult the daily Mass readings linked from the parish website before attending.
- Saturday Vigil — 4:15 PM
- Sunday — 11:00 AM
- Monday — 9:00 AM
- Friday — 9:00 AM
- Holy Saturday (annual) — 10:00 AM (additional Easter Vigil)
- Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God — see bulletin
Capuchin Franciscan Friary
St. Peter has been a Capuchin Franciscan ministry since 2006, when Bishop Salvatore Matano invited the Province of St. Mary to staff the parish and help keep small Vermont communities viable. The friars live in a Rutland friary and currently shepherd a regional cluster of parishes from this base. The Capuchin presence gives the parish a distinctly Franciscan liturgical and devotional flavor — quiet preaching, humility, and closeness to working people.
- Capuchins arrived in 2006
- First friars included Fr. Theodosius Corley, Fr. Thomas Houle, Fr. Michael Ramos, Fr. Raynold Thibodeau, and Brothers Timothy Jones and Joseph Yakimovich
- Currently administers a regional cluster that includes St. Bridget, St. Stanislaus, and St. Dominic parishes
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Capuchin friars appointed by the Province of St. Mary and confirmed by the Bishop of Burlington.
- Fr. Maurice "Moe" Moreau, O.F.M. Cap. — Administrator
- Fr. Richard Crawley, O.F.M. Cap. — Parochial Vicar
- Fr. John Tokaz, O.F.M. Cap. — Pastor Emeritus (retired 2024)
Religious Education
Religious Education for parish children is coordinated through the parish office. Families seeking to enroll children in faith formation, prepare for First Communion or Confirmation, or join the RCIA process should contact the rectory directly.
- Parish-based Religious Education program
- Contact: (802) 775-1994
Parish Life & Getting Involved
St. Peter is a small parish where participation is welcomed and noticed. The Parish Council meets regularly, and parishioners can sign up to volunteer through the parish website. Whether helping with liturgy, grounds, or outreach, there is room for newcomers.
- Parish Council (monthly meetings listed on the parish calendar)
- Volunteer sign-up available through the parish website
- Weekly bulletin for news and announcements
Giving & Support
Online giving is available through the parish website, with a dedicated link for St. Peter, Rutland. The parish also participates in the Diocese of Burlington's annual Bishop's Appeal.
- Parish online giving — select 'St. Peter, Rutland'
- Bishop's Appeal donation link on the parish homepage
Visit & Contact
The parish welcomes visitors and newcomers. The office can be reached by phone during parish hours, and directions are linked from the parish website.
- Address: 134 Convent Avenue, Rutland, VT 05701
- Phone: (802) 775-1994
- Fax: (802) 775-0178 (per Province of St. Mary parish listing)
- Diocese listing: https://www.vermontcatholic.org/church/st-peter-rutland/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Charles J. Boylan1857–1886
Built the present Gothic Revival church (1868–1873) with Patrick C. Keely; brought the Sisters of St. Joseph to Rutland to staff the school; buried beside the church tower.
- Rev. Robert Joycemid-20th century
Directed the 1950 renovation of the church.
- Msgr. Thomas Connor1970s
Directed the 1973 renovation.
- Rev. W. André Houle2000–2004
Directed the major 2000–2004 restoration.
- Fr. Thomas Houle, O.F.M. Cap.2006–2020
First Capuchin pastor when the friars arrived in 2006 at Bishop Matano's invitation.
- Fr. John Tokaz, O.F.M. Cap.2020–2024
Succeeded Fr. Tom as pastor and guardian of the Rutland friary; retired from active ministry in 2024.
- Fr. Maurice "Moe" Moreau, O.F.M. Cap.2024–present
Added St. Peter to his pastorate; previously pastor of St. Alphonsus, Pittsford and Our Lady of Good Help–St. Mary, Brandon.