About Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral · Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas Island
Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral is the mother church and seat of the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands, located on Kronprindsens Gade in downtown Charlotte Amalie, the capital of the U.S. Virgin Islands. The present building was consecrated in 1848 on a site the Catholic community has occupied since 1802, and it became a cathedral parish on June 30, 1960 when Pope John XXIII erected the Prelature of the Virgin Islands. The parish serves a bilingual Caribbean congregation with liturgies in English and Spanish, and is celebrated for its 19th-century Belgian Redemptorist ceiling murals, San Juan-marble altar, stained-glass windows honoring its patrons, and four choirs. It is currently led by a diocesan clergy team following 131 years of Redemptorist pastoral service (1858–1989).
- Established
- 1806 (first church named after Sts. Peter & Paul); 1848 (present building)
- Patron
- Saints Peter and Paul (Apostles)
- Rector
- Rev. Mathias Njong (Rector)
- Diocese
- Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands
Why belong here
Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral offers a rare combination of historic depth and living Caribbean Catholic community: it is the spiritual heart of the Diocese of St. Thomas, with weekday and weekend Masses in both English and Spanish, four parish choirs, a weekly novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration, and the largest parish school in the territory (PK–12). Pilgrims, locals, and visitors are drawn by its 19th-century Belgian murals, its 1848 sanctuary, and a Catholic Charities–linked outreach that supports island families. Whether you're a lifelong Catholic, a Spanish-speaking islander, or a visitor seeking daily Mass and confession, the cathedral welcomes you as a 'sacred home and vibrant community in the heart of the United States Virgin Islands.'
Mass times at Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesdays: 11:45 AM – 12:10 PM (before the 12:15 PM Mass)
- Saturdays: 3:45 PM – 4:25 PM (before the 4:30 PM Vigil Mass)
- By appointment: (340) 774-0201
Adoration times
- Wednesdays: 7:45 AM – 11:45 AM (Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the Cathedral; Mass at 7:00 AM precedes it, and another Mass at 12:15 PM follows)
History of the Cathedral
Catholic worship in the Danish West Indies predates the present cathedral by more than a century. After Danish King Christian VII sanctioned the Catholic Church in 1773, Italian Franciscan Fr. Petro Sellaroli offered to reside on St. Thomas and celebrate weekly Mass in a rented apartment. With money subscribed by the community, he purchased a building from the Danish Crown — the territory's first Catholic church. It burned in 1804; a new church was consecrated on January 12, 1806 and named in honor of Saints Peter and Paul. The first building on the present Kronprindsens Gade site was completed in 1828, destroyed by hurricane in 1837, and replaced by the present structure consecrated in 1848. The Redemptorists arrived in 1858 and served the parish continuously until 1989, when the first diocesan priest, Msgr. Michael F. Kosak, became rector. On June 30, 1960, Pope John XXIII erected the Prelature of the Virgin Islands, with Saints Peter and Paul as the cathedral parish; in 1977 the prelature was raised to the Diocese of St. Thomas.
- 1666 — First Danish settlers arrive on St. Thomas
- 1773 — Danish King officially sanctions the Catholic Church
- 1802 — First Catholic church building purchased from the Danish Crown
- 1804 — Fire destroys the church
- 1806 — New building consecrated on Jan. 12, named after Saints Peter & Paul
- 1828 — First building on present site completed (altar facing east)
- 1837 — Severe hurricane destroys much of the building
- 1848 — Present building consecrated
- 1858 — Redemptorists (C.Ss.R.) arrive to minister
- 1960 — Cathedral parish status; Prelature of the Virgin Islands erected
- 1977 — Prelature raised to Diocese of St. Thomas
- 1989 — Redemptorists depart; first diocesan rector, Msgr. Michael F. Kosak
- 2004 — Capital campaign to restore and refurbish begins
- 2017 — Hurricanes Irma and Maria inflict severe damage
- 2024 — 250th Jubilee Year celebrated
Architecture and Sacred Art
The cathedral is described as a Spanish-cathedral-style building whose facade fuses European ecclesiastical tradition with the understated simplicity characteristic of Danish colonial architecture in the Virgin Islands. A bell tower was added in 1878 and a French organ in 1897. The interior is renowned for twelve major ceiling murals and several smaller works painted 1899–1901 by Belgian Redemptorist artists Fr. Leo Servais and Br. Ildephonsus. In 1902 statues of the patron saints were placed above the outside entrance. A new marble high altar and rail, Our Lady of Perpetual Help shrine, and mahogany confessionals were added in 1931. The 1960s brought San Juan-marble decorations to the bishop's throne, sanctuary walls, chairs and pillars, central air conditioning, and two stained-glass windows honoring Saints Peter and Paul flanking the main altar. The building seats approximately 450.
- Style: Spanish cathedral style with Danish colonial influences
- Bell tower: 1878
- Organ: from France, 1897
- Ceiling murals: 12 major + smaller works by Fr. Leo Servais and Br. Ildephonsus (Belgium), 1899–1901
- Exterior patron statues: 1902
- Marble high altar, Our Lady of Perpetual Help shrine, mahogany confessionals: 1931
- San Juan-marble sanctuary, central A/C, stained-glass Peter and Paul windows: 1960s
- Original marble Stations of the Cross retained and cleaned in 1990s restoration
- Seating capacity: approximately 450
Hurricane Recovery and Restoration
The cathedral has weathered repeated hurricane damage over the centuries. After Hurricane Hugo in 1989, the belfry was refurbished and a new roof installed in 1993–94; the interior and exterior were repaired and repainted, windows and alcoves decorated, the original marble Stations of the Cross cleaned, and two damaged murals restored (with further restoration work in subsequent years by artist Felix Chavez). Most recently, Category 5 Hurricanes Irma (September 6, 2017) and Maria (September 19, 2017) struck St. Thomas within two weeks of each other, inflicting severe damage. Bishop Herbert Armstrong Bevard (2008–2020) and his successor Bishop Jerome Feudjio (2021–present) have overseen an ongoing restoration effort to preserve the building's artistic and structural fabric.
- 1837 hurricane destroys 1828 building
- Hurricane Hugo (1989) — repaired 1993–94
- Hurricanes Irma and Maria (Sept. 2017) — restoration ongoing
- Restoration overseen by Bishop Bevard and Bishop Feudjio
Devotions and Prayer Life
Beyond the regular Mass schedule, the cathedral maintains a steady devotional rhythm. Every Wednesday morning, the Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help precedes the 7:00 AM Mass, after which the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for adoration until shortly before the 12:15 PM Mass. Morning Prayer with the Holy Rosary is recited every morning before each Mass. The parish Feast Day of Saints Peter and Paul is celebrated on June 29 with a special Mass schedule.
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena — Wednesdays before 7:00 AM Mass
- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament — Wednesdays 7:45 AM – 11:45 AM
- Morning Prayer with Holy Rosary — every morning before Mass
- Parish Feast Day — June 29 (Saints Peter and Paul)
Clergy, Staff, and Parish Leadership
Since the Redemptorists' departure in 1989, the cathedral has been led by diocesan clergy. The current Rector is Rev. Mathias Njong, assisted by Parochial Vicar Very Rev. Marcel Gham, V.F., and Permanent Deacons Rev. Mr. Frank Kearney, Rev. Mr. José Vázquez, and Rev. Mr. Wilfredo. On June 13, 2025, Bishop Jerome Feudjio ordained Modestus Dike as a deacon for the cathedral. Administrative support is provided by Business Manager Bernadine J. Barnes and other parish staff. The cathedral also sits under the episcopal leadership of Bishop Jerome Feudjio, who himself was rector of the cathedral (1997–2004 and 2008–2021) before becoming the first African-born Catholic bishop in the United States.
- Rector: Rev. Mathias Njong
- Parochial Vicar: Very Rev. Marcel Gham, V.F.
- Permanent Deacons: Rev. Mr. Frank Kearney, Rev. Mr. José Vázquez, Rev. Mr. Wilfredo
- Newly ordained (2025): Rev. Mr. Modestus Ugo Dike
- Bishop: Most Rev. Jerome Feudjio (Sixth Bishop of St. Thomas)
- Business Manager: Bernadine J. Barnes
Parish School — Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic School
Adjacent to the cathedral on Kronprindsens Gade, Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic School (PK–12) was founded in 1924 as an elementary school; the high school program began in 1946 with its first graduating class in 1950. It is the only Catholic high school on St. Thomas and is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The school colors are red and white and the mascot is the Jaguars. The current principal is Rev. Ronan Sarmiento, appointed in 2021 by Bishop Feudjio. The school integrates Gospel values, spiritual formation through Mass and service projects, and rigorous academics across language arts and STEM.
- Founded 1924 (elementary); high school program began 1946
- Grades: Pre-K through 12
- Mascot: Jaguars; Colors: Red and White
- Accreditation: Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
- Principal: Rev. Ronan Sarmiento
- Website: https://saintpps.com
Religious Education and Faith Formation
Parish Religious Education classes are held on Sundays from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM in between Masses, providing faith formation for parish children. The cathedral partners with the adjacent Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic School for the broader academic and spiritual formation of youth in the territory. Sacramental preparation for First Communion, Confirmation, and other rites is coordinated through the parish and the diocese.
- Religious Education: Sundays 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
- First Communion / First Reconciliation preparation via the Religious Education program
- Confirmation administered by the Bishop at diocesan ceremonies
Music and Liturgy
The cathedral sponsors four parish choirs and is well known for a musically engaged congregation that loves to sing, often inserting extra verses into hymns and making recordings sold in the cathedral office. The cathedral choir tradition traces back to the Redemptorist era and the 1897 French organ that anchors liturgical music. Sunday Masses include a Children's Mass (8:30 AM) and a Senior Choir Mass (10:00 AM), and the cathedral regularly livestreams its liturgies.
- Four parish choirs sponsored by the cathedral
- 1897 French pipe organ
- Children's Mass — Sundays 8:30 AM
- Senior Choir Mass — Sundays 10:00 AM
- Recordings of cathedral choirs available through the cathedral office
- Livestreamed Sunday Masses and special liturgies
Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands
Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral is the mother church of the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands, which covers St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix, and Water Island. The diocese was erected as the Territorial Prelature of the Virgin Islands on June 30, 1960 (separated from the Diocese of San Juan, Puerto Rico), and was elevated to a diocese on April 20, 1977. The diocese is part of the Episcopal Conference of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. The current bishop, the sixth, is Most Rev. Jerome Feudjio, appointed March 2, 2021 by Pope Francis and ordained at the cathedral on April 17, 2021.
- Mother church of the Diocese of St. Thomas
- Prelature erected June 30, 1960 (separated from San Juan, PR)
- Diocese erected April 20, 1977
- Episcopal Conference of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C.
- Six bishops to date, beginning with Most Rev. Edward J. Harper, C.Ss.R.
- Current bishop: Most Rev. Jerome Feudjio (since 2021)
Outreach, Charity, and Safeguarding
The cathedral maintains an active safeguarding and prevention program with mandatory training for clergy, staff, and volunteers; background checks and screening; clear reporting protocols; and ongoing education. Parish leaders have served on the board of Catholic Charities of the Virgin Islands, and the diocese has coordinated prison ministry, TV ministry, and other outreach efforts from the cathedral. The parish welcomes visitors, locals, seekers, and lifelong believers, framing itself as a 'sacred home and vibrant community in the heart of the United States Virgin Islands.'
- Safeguarding and prevention program with mandatory training and background checks
- Board participation with Catholic Charities of the Virgin Islands
- Prison ministry coordination (historical)
- TV ministry coordination (historical)
- Welcome extended to locals, visitors, seekers, and lifelong believers
Visiting Charlotte Amalie and Getting to the Cathedral
The cathedral sits in the Charlotte Amalie Historic District, within walking distance of Main Street, Market Square, and the cruise-ship harbor. From Market Square on Main Street, walk west along Kronprindsens Gade (a Danish street name) past the Catholic school; the cathedral is next to Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School. The parish rectory sits on a hill above the cathedral, connected by 103 steps. The cathedral offers complimentary guided tours to visitors (call (340) 774-0201 to arrange) and is open during the day for prayer and quiet contemplation of its murals, marble sanctuary, stained-glass windows, and Stations of the Cross.
- Located in the Charlotte Amalie Historic District
- Walking directions from Market Square / Main Street: west on Kronprindsens Gade
- Adjacent to Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic School
- Rectory on a hill above the cathedral, connected by 103 steps
- Complimentary guided tours by appointment
- Open during the day for adoration and quiet visits
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Petro Sellaroli (Italian Franciscan)1773 onwards
First resident Catholic priest in St. Thomas; celebrated Mass in a rented apartment and purchased the first church building from the Danish Crown.
- Rev. Louis Dold, C.Ss.R.1858
First Redemptorist of the Baltimore Province to pastor the parish when the order assumed ministry in May 1858.
- Rev. Msgr. Michael F. Kosak1989
First diocesan priest to serve as cathedral rector after the Redemptorists departed in May 1989.
- Rev. Msgr. Jerome Feudjio1997–2004 and 2008–2021
Served as Administrator and later Rector of the cathedral; became the first African-born bishop in the United States when named Sixth Bishop of St. Thomas on March 2, 2021, with episcopal ordination at the cathedral on April 17, 2021.
- Rev. Msgr. Antonio Verzosapre-2012
Listed as Visiting Priest in the 2012 cathedral bulletin.
- Rev. Fr. Louis Kemayoupre-2012
Listed as Priest in Residence in the 2012 cathedral bulletin.
- Rev. Mathias Njongpresent
Current Rector, per the official diocesan parish page.