St. Peter the Apostle

Parish History

St. Peter the Apostle was organized in 1821, just over a decade after Duke's Woods was renamed Libertytown in the fervor following the Revolutionary War. Catholics had worshipped in private homes — most notably the Coale House built in 1783 by Richard Coale and Katherine McSherry — ever since Maryland's 1718 penal laws excluded them from public churches. The parish's first stone chapel, seating about 50, was consecrated by Archbishop Ambrose Maréchal on September 24, 1823; its stones were later used to build the foundation of Sappington Hall. A larger second church followed in 1869–1871, formally consecrated on September 8, 1903 — exactly 105 years before the dedication of today's church. That second church was destroyed by a roofing fire on June 3, 2004. Parishioners worshipped in Sappington Hall during the four-year rebuilding; the present church, dedicated in 2008, seats nearly 900 and incorporates surviving walls of the burned structure as its Daily Mass Chapel. On September 24, 2023, the parish celebrated its bicentennial with a Mass presided over by Archbishop William Lori.

• 1821 — parish founded
• 1823 — first church consecrated by Archbishop Ambrose Maréchal
• 1871 — second church built (consecrated 1903)
• June 3, 2004 — second church destroyed by roofing fire
• 2008 — present church dedicated; ~$11.5 million project
• September 24, 2023 — bicentennial Mass with Archbishop William Lori

Architecture and the New Church

The 2008 church is a deliberate architectural conversation with its two predecessors. The burned brick walls of the 1871 church were preserved and incorporated into the new structure as the Daily Mass Chapel; their brickwork and window pattern set the visual standard for the rest of the new building. Two steeples tell the parish's story at a glance: the open-arched south tower references the original 1823 chapel, while the taller primary steeple is a replica of the spire lost to fire in 2004. The main worship space seats nearly 900 — more than twice the older building — and a commemorative cornerstone honors both prior churches.

• Seating capacity ~900
• Daily Mass Chapel built from surviving 1871 walls
• South tower echoes 1823 chapel design
• Primary steeple replicates the 2004 destroyed spire

Faith Formation and Religious Education

Faith formation at St. Peter's is organized by two coordinators. Stacy Wright directs Elementary Catechists for preschool through fifth grade, including Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist, Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC), a weeklong Catholic Summer Camp (Vacation Bible School), and family events such as Advent/Lent interactive experiences, service nights, Trunk or Treat, and Family Nights. Children preparing for sacraments must complete two years of formation, attend retreats and practices, and meet the parish's attendance policy. Alec Parker leads Youth Ministry for grades 6 through 12, with Confirmation conferred in the spring of 10th grade after multi-year preparation. Carolyn Nolan coordinates Adult Faith Formation, including Adult Confirmation and sacramental preparation, and serves as Cemetery Director.

• Elementary Catechists — preschool through 5th grade, Sacramental prep, RCIC, VBS
• Youth Ministry (Alec Parker, ext. 15) — grades 6–12; Confirmation in 10th grade
• Adult Faith Formation (Carolyn Nolan, ext. 19) — including Adult Confirmation
• Cemetery Director: Carolyn Nolan

Sacraments

The parish celebrates all the usual sacraments. Baptisms are held communally on the second and fourth Sundays at 12:15 pm, or at any weekend liturgy, after a required preparation class; parents are expected to be registered and practicing members. First Reconciliation and First Eucharist require two years of prior religious education. Confirmation is conferred in the spring to 10th-grade students; adults who were catechized but never confirmed may prepare for the Archdiocesan celebration in May or November. Marriages must be arranged with the Pastor or Deacon at least six months in advance and require Pre-Cana ($65) and a meeting with parish musician Judy Smarsh four to six months ahead of the wedding. Confession is offered as listed above.

• Baptism contact: Marge Pieklo, ext. 10
• First Communion contact: Stacy Wright, ext. 14
• Confirmation contact: Alec Parker, ext. 15 (youth) or Carolyn Nolan, ext. 19 (adult)
• Matrimony contact: Carolyn Nolan, ext. 19; Pre-Cana $65; music with Judy Smarsh

Parish Life and Ministries

With more than 30 ministries, the parish is an active hub of service, formation and fellowship. Major groups include the Knights of Columbus (Council #13290), Ladies Club, Handmaids of the Lord, MOM's Group, Ageless Ventures (a 55+ fellowship that meets the third Thursday of the month in Sappington Hall), That Man is You! men's program, and Youth Ministry. Liturgical roles are filled by Altar Servers, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Sacristans, Greeters, Ushers, Altar Linen Guild, Flower Ministry and Crossing Guards.

Outreach and Charity

Outreach is a strong dimension of parish life. The St. Peter's Food Pantry, open Saturdays from 1:30 to 3:00 pm, serves families in Frederick and Carroll counties with about 25 pounds of non-perishable food, meat, toiletries, fresh produce and eggs, and provides full holiday meals at Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Thrift Shop, the Bereavement Ministry, the Meals Ministry, the Prayer Shawl Ministry, the Parish Nurse program, the St. Monica Ministry, the Respect Life Committee, and the Social Concerns Committee round out the parish's charitable work. Knights of Columbus Council #13290 supplements the parish's outreach with regular service projects such as serving lunch at the Rescue Mission.

• Food Pantry — Saturdays 1:30–3:00 pm
• Thrift Shop — John & Bonnie Ferrara
• Bereavement Ministry, Meals Ministry, Prayer Shawl Ministry
• Respect Life Committee, Social Concerns Committee, St. Monica Ministry
• Knights of Columbus Council #13290

Parish Staff and Clergy

The parish is led by Pastor Fr. Chuck Wible and assisted by three permanent deacons: John Martin, Jerry Jennings, and Michael Dvorak. (The late Deacon Mike Misulia, who died before completion, was instrumental in the post-fire rebuilding decisions.) The staff includes Office Manager Theresa DiSipio, Administrative Assistants Marge Pieklo and Susan Suprock, Bookkeeper Katelyn Clementson, Maintenance Supervisor Ryan Danieley, Housekeeping (Marie Bauguess), Coordinator of Music Ministries Sherri Slattery, Coordinator of Adult Faith Formation and Cemetery Director Carolyn Nolan, Coordinator of Elementary Religious Education Stacy Wright, and Coordinator of Youth Ministry Alec Parker. The Parish Council, led by President Rick Heiland, meets on the first Tuesday of the month.

• Pastor: Fr. Chuck Wible, ext. 13
• Deacons: John Martin (301-788-1073), Jerry Jennings (301-874-1755), Mike Dvorak
• Pastoral Council President: Rick Heiland (Vice: Steve Browning; Secretary: Terri Horrigan)

Getting Involved

The parish welcomes volunteers across its ministries and invites inquiries through the parish office (301-898-5111). Practical entry points include Altar Serving, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Greeters, the Food Pantry, the Music Ministry, Youth Ministry, the Knights of Columbus, and That Man is You! The Welcome Home Committee focuses on helping returning Catholics reconnect with parish life.

• Parish Office: 301-898-5111
• Welcome Home Committee coordinated by Deacon Jerry Jennings