About St. Peter the Apostle · Laredo, Texas
St. Peter the Apostle is a historic Roman Catholic parish in downtown Laredo, Texas, founded in 1897 as the city's second Catholic congregation and originally established to serve English-speaking (largely German and other non-Spanish) families who had arrived in Laredo during the 1880s. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Laredo and continues its bilingual ministry today with Masses celebrated in both English and Spanish. Its 1897 church building, designed by German craftsman Heinrich Postcheller, is recognized with a Texas Historical Commission marker and remains a contributing structure in Laredo's local historic district. The parish runs a faith formation (CCD) program, youth ministry, and serves as a South Texas Food Bank distribution site for the surrounding neighborhood.
- Established
- 1897
- Patron
- Saint Peter the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Agustín Escalante
- Diocese
- Diocese of Laredo
Why belong here
St. Peter the Apostle offers a bilingual Catholic community in the heart of downtown Laredo, with daily Mass in Spanish and weekend Masses in both Spanish and English — making it accessible to English-speaking and Spanish-speaking families alike. The parish nurtures faith across generations through a CCD religious education program (coordinated by Patsy Morales), an active youth ministry (led by Carmen Ramirez), and the sacraments celebrated regularly in its historic 1897 church. It also serves its neighborhood practically, partnering with the South Texas Food Bank to distribute food on the second Saturday of each month, so belonging here means joining both a worshipping community and a local mission of charity.
Mass times at St. Peter the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
- Or by appointment
History of St. Peter the Apostle Parish
St. Peter the Apostle was organized in 1897 as the second Catholic parish in Laredo, established specifically to serve English-speaking — largely German — immigrant families who had arrived in the city during the 1880s. The church building was designed that same year by German craftsman Heinrich Postcheller and has remained in continuous use, though it has undergone numerous alterations over more than a century.
- Founded 1897 as the second Catholic parish in Laredo
- Originally an English-speaking parish for non-Spanish-speaking immigrant families (especially German)
- Church designed by German craftsman Heinrich Postcheller, built 1897
- Texas Historical Commission marker dedicated 1992 (Atlas #5479004483)
Ursuline School & Catholic Education
Around 1899, nuns of the Ursuline Order established a neighborhood Catholic school at St. Peter the Apostle, beginning the parish's long tradition of faith-centered education. A school Mass continues to this day, celebrated on Thursdays at 9:30 AM.
- Ursuline Order nuns founded a neighborhood school at St. Peter's about 1899
- School Mass still celebrated on Thursdays at 9:30 AM
Monsignor Dan Lanning & the Society of Martha Washington
In 1939, Monsignor Dan Lanning, then pastor of St. Peter the Apostle, founded the Society of Martha Washington, an organization that brought women into the civic life of Laredo's famous Washington's Birthday Celebration — one of the oldest such celebrations in the United States. This founding is recognized on the parish's official Texas Historical Commission marker.
- Monsignor Dan Lanning, pastor, founded the Society of Martha Washington in 1939
- Organization integrated women into the city's renowned Washington's Birthday celebration
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is currently led by Rev. Agustín Escalante as pastor, supported by parish office and ministry staff who coordinate faith formation, youth ministry, and parish communications.
- Pastor: Rev. Agustín Escalante
- Secretary: Maria Teresa Hernandez
- CCD Coordinator: Patsy Morales
- Youth Ministry: Carmen Ramirez
Faith Formation & Religious Education (CCD)
The parish operates a CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) program to provide Catholic religious education for children, preparing them for the sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation. Patsy Morales serves as the CCD coordinator, continuing the parish's century-old tradition of forming young Catholics in the faith — a ministry that traces back to the Ursuline sisters who opened a school at the parish around 1899.
- CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) program
- CCD Coordinator: Patsy Morales
- Preparation for First Communion and Confirmation
Youth Ministry
St. Peter the Apostle maintains an active youth ministry led by Carmen Ramirez, providing young parishioners with opportunities for faith formation, fellowship, and service within the parish and wider Laredo community.
- Youth Ministry Director: Carmen Ramirez
- Focus on faith formation, fellowship, and service for young parishioners
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments, including Baptism (with required classes for parents and godparents), First Communion, Confirmation, Matrimony (with preparation), Anointing of the Sick, and Reconciliation. The parish also extends spiritual care to the sick and elderly through its ministry to those who are homebound or in care facilities.
- Baptism (classes required for parents and godparents)
- First Communion
- Confirmation
- Matrimony / Marriage (preparation required)
- Reconciliation (Wed 5:30–6:30 PM or by appointment)
- Anointing of the Sick / Ministry to the Sick and Elderly
Outreach: South Texas Food Bank Partnership
St. Peter the Apostle partners with the South Texas Food Bank to serve neighbors facing food insecurity in the downtown Laredo area. The parish hosts a monthly food distribution on the second Saturday of each month from 8:00 to 9:30 AM, coordinated by parish contact Patricia Reyes Morales.
- South Texas Food Bank partner site
- Distribution: 2nd Saturday of each month, 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM
- Coordinator: Patricia Reyes Morales ([email protected])
- Phone: (956) 723-6301
Building, Architecture & Historic Recognition
The current church building dates to 1897 and was designed by German craftsman Heinrich Postcheller. Though the structure has been altered many times over its 125+ years, it retains its historic character and is formally recognized by the Texas Historical Commission with a marker dedicated in 1992. The building also contributes to Laredo's local Main Street / St. Peter Local Historic District and is located within TIRZ Zone #1.
- Church building constructed 1897
- Designed by German craftsman Heinrich Postcheller
- Texas Historical Commission marker (1992)
- Contributing structure in Laredo's Local Historic District
Visiting & Contact
St. Peter the Apostle is located at 1510 Matamoros Street in downtown Laredo (ZIP 78040), within easy reach of the city's historic core. The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and the parish can be reached by phone at (956) 723-6301. The official website is stpetertheapostlelaredo.org.
- Address: 1510 Matamoros St, Laredo, TX 78040
- Phone: (956) 723-6301
- Office hours: Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Website: stpetertheapostlelaredo.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Monsignor Dan Lanning
Pastor at St. Peter the Apostle in 1939; founded the Society of Martha Washington that year, integrating women into Laredo's Washington's Birthday Celebration.