About St. Peter the Apostle · Houston, Texas
St. Peter the Apostle is a family-oriented Roman Catholic parish located in Houston's historic Third Ward, within the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, near the University of Houston, Texas Southern University, and the Texas Medical Center. Founded in 1941 under the Missionary Fathers of Our Lady of La Salette, the parish has served generations of Houston Catholics through bilingual (English and Spanish) liturgical celebrations, faith formation, a parish school (opened 1942, closed 2019 after 77 years), and outreach to the surrounding community. Its mission statement is 'Inviting and Welcoming Everyone in Jesus Christ for the Salvation of All.' The parish has been under the pastoral care of the Missionary Society of St. Paul (MSP) since October 1, 1997.
- Established
- 1941
- Patron
- Saint Peter the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Henry Osuagwu, MSP
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Why belong here
St. Peter the Apostle offers a bilingual Catholic home in the heart of Houston's Third Ward, with daily Mass, a Spanish-language Sunday liturgy, weekend confession, First Friday adoration, and devotions such as the Monday Holy Rosary and Tuesday St. Joseph Novena. Families can take advantage of faith formation and sacramental preparation for all ages, while a wide range of liturgical ministries (lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, altar servers, ushers and greeters, and Arts and Environment) give parishioners hands-on ways to participate in the life of the Church. The parish's mission — 'Inviting and Welcoming Everyone in Jesus Christ for the Salvation of All' — is lived out near the University of Houston, Texas Southern University, and the Texas Medical Center, making it a convenient spiritual home for students, medical workers, and long-time Third Ward families alike.
Mass times at St. Peter the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:30 PM – 4:55 PM (before the 5:00 PM Vigil Mass)
- Any time upon request
Adoration times
- First Friday Holy Hour: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM (following the 8:10 AM Mass)
Parish History & Heritage
St. Peter the Apostle was established in 1941 by Bishop Christopher Byrne and placed under the care of the La Salette Fathers, with the first Mass celebrated on June 1, 1941. The parish and its school were founded to serve Houston's growing Third Ward Catholic community during the World War II era. Over the decades the parish has been shaped by three successive religious orders: the La Salette Fathers (1941–1984), the Josephites (1984–1997), and the Missionary Society of St. Paul (MSP) since October 1, 1997.
- Established 1941 by Bishop Christopher Byrne
- First Mass: June 1, 1941
- School opened June 1942 (Dominican Sisters)
- La Salette Fathers (1941–1984)
- Josephites / Society of St. Joseph (1984–1997)
- Missionary Society of St. Paul (1997–present)
Mission & Parish Identity
The parish's mission statement is 'Inviting and Welcoming Everyone in Jesus Christ for the Salvation of All.' Parishioners, clergy, and staff strive to be faithful to the mission of Christ through liturgical, educational, and social service ministries, seeking to reflect the Body of Christ in today's society.
- Mission: Inviting and Welcoming Everyone in Jesus Christ for the Salvation of All
- Family-oriented, faith-filled parish community
- Located in Houston's Third Ward, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Mass & Liturgical Schedule
St. Peter the Apostle offers daily Mass at 8:10 AM Tuesday through Friday and on Monday, plus a Saturday Vigil Mass at 5:00 PM. Sunday liturgies include an English Mass at 9:00 AM and a Spanish-language Mass at 12:30 PM, with a bilingual Mass on the First Sunday of the month at 9:00 AM. Holy Days of Obligation are observed at 8:10 AM and 7:00 PM.
- Saturday Vigil: 5:00 PM (English)
- Sunday: 9:00 AM (English); 12:30 PM (Spanish); First Sunday bilingual at 9:00 AM
- Daily Mass: Mon–Fri 8:10 AM (English)
- Holy Days: 8:10 AM and 7:00 PM
Parish Ministries
Parishioners serve in a variety of liturgical ministries, supporting the celebration of Mass and the beauty of the worship space. Liturgical ministry inquiries may be directed to Deacon Dan.
- Arts and Environment
- Ushers and Greeters
- Lectors (Ministers of the Word)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Altar Servers (open to children who have received First Communion)
Altar Servers
Altar servers assist the priests at Mass. Children, both male and female, who have received their First Holy Communion are eligible to begin training.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist priests and deacons in the distribution of Holy Communion. They are trained and commissioned for this ministry.
Lectors
The objective of the Minister of the Word is not merely to read the Bible aloud, but to provide effective proclamation of God's Word in Scripture, which depends on the quality of preparation by each lector.
Ushers and Greeters
Ushers and greeters are typically the first people visitors meet when arriving for Sunday Mass. They serve as greeters and hospitality ministers, help seat parishioners, and assist the congregation throughout the liturgy.
Arts and Environment
This ministry is dedicated to the weekly and seasonal environment of the worship space, helping to set an appropriate liturgical atmosphere throughout the year.
Parish School (1942–2019)
St. Peter the Apostle Catholic School opened in June 1942 with students in grades one through seven and was originally staffed by the Dominican Sisters. The school served Houston's Third Ward Catholic families for 77 years. In March 2019, Catholic Schools Superintendent Debra Haney announced that the school would close at the end of the spring semester after enrollment had fallen by more than 70 percent in five years. The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston explored repurposing the campus as a career and technical Catholic high school, similar in concept to Mercy Career & Technical High School in Philadelphia.
- Opened June 1942 (grades 1–7)
- Originally staffed by the Dominican Sisters
- Served the parish community for 77 years
- Closed at end of 2018-2019 school year
- Possible future use: Catholic vocational/technical high school
Pastoral Leadership
St. Peter the Apostle is served by the priests of the Missionary Society of St. Paul (MSP), who have provided pastoral care since October 1, 1997. Father Henry Osuagwu, MSP, was appointed pastor effective October 4, 2024, by the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, succeeding Father Faustinus Okeyikam, MSP, who led the parish during the closing of the school in 2019.
- Current Pastor: Rev. Henry Osuagwu, MSP (effective October 2024)
- Former Pastor: Rev. Faustinus Okeyikam, MSP
- Former Administrator: Rev. Evaristus Chukwu, MSP
- Pastoral care: Missionary Society of St. Paul (since 1997)
Location & Visiting
The parish is located at 6220 La Salette Street, Houston, TX 77021-1323, in the Third Ward near Old Spanish Trail, with easy access to the University of Houston (Central Campus), Texas Southern University, and the Texas Medical Center. Visitors are invited to attend any Mass or devotion and may contact the parish office at (713) 747-7800.
- Address: 6220 La Salette Street, Houston, TX 77021
- Phone: (713) 747-7800
- Email: [email protected]
- Near UH, Texas Southern, and the Texas Medical Center
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Missionary Fathers of Our Lady of La Salette (La Salette Fathers)1941–1984
Founded the parish; celebrated first Mass on June 1, 1941. Served as the founding religious order.
- Society of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart (the Josephites)1984–September 30, 1997
Took over pastoral leadership from the La Salette Fathers in 1984.
- Missionary Society of St. Paul (MSP)October 1, 1997–present
Took over pastoral care on October 1, 1997 and continues to lead the parish.
- Rev. Evaristus Chukwu, MSP
Listed as Administrator of St. Peter the Apostle effective August 15 (year per archdiocesan appointments list); reassigned effective October 4, 2024 to Pastor of St. Martin de Porres, Barrett Station.
- Rev. Faustinus Okeyikam, MSP
Pastor of St. Peter the Apostle; served as pastor during the 2019 announcement closing of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic School.
- Rev. Henry Osuagwu, MSPEffective October 2024–present
Appointed Pastor of St. Peter the Apostle Parish, effective October 4, 2024, per Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston pastoral appointments.