About Sts. Peter and Paul · Decatur, Georgia
Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Decatur, Georgia, belonging to the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Founded in August 1959, it has served the spiritual and cultural life of north Georgia Catholics for more than 65 years, drawing a diverse congregation that includes a thriving Haitian Creole-speaking community that worships at the Sunday 1:30 PM Mass. The parish at 2560 Tilson Road is led by Father Kevin T. Peek (returning pastor, July 2024) with a team of clergy, deacons, and lay staff. Live-streaming of every Mass on Facebook and YouTube keeps shut-ins and supporters connected to the parish's liturgical life.
- Established
- 1959
- Patron
- Saints Peter and Paul (Apostles)
- Rector
- Fr. Kevin T. Peek
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Atlanta
Why belong here
Sts. Peter and Paul is a warmly multigenerational and multicultural parish where Catholics of every background find a home — including a dedicated Haitian Creole Mass and chaplaincy — supported by a robust faith formation program, online Adult Enrichment sessions, a Men's Monday Rosary Club, devotional groups, and parish circles. The parish was recently refreshed with new pews, lighting, and sound and live-streams every Mass so parishioners near and far stay connected. Outreach ministries like the food pantry and St. Vincent de Paul circle put faith into action, while Father Kevin Peek has made reinvigorating ministries and evangelization a top priority since returning in 2024.
Mass times at Sts. Peter and Paul
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration after 9:00 AM daily Mass on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays
Our Story
Founded in August 1959 under Father Michael M. Manning, the parish grew from makeshift Masses at a funeral home chapel and a local high school into a dedicated church on Tilson Road in 1961. Through the decades, successive pastors — Fathers Peek (first tenure), Hill, Small, and Peek again — have shaped the parish: building the school, enlarging the narthex, refreshing the worship space, and bringing worship online.
- Established August 1959
- First Mass: December 4, 1960 at Horis Ward Funeral Home
- Dedicated January 25, 1961 by Bishop Francis E. Hyland
- School opened fall 1962 under Mother Edmunda, IHM
- 50th Anniversary celebrated 2009–2010
- Incorporated December 12, 2018
- Narthex/Nave refresh completed winter 2023
Clergy & Staff
Father Kevin T. Peek leads the parish as pastor alongside Haitian Chaplain Fr. Carl Jean and Permanent Deacon Tony King, with retired deacons James Anderson, Jerry Lett, and Augustin Pierre-Louis supporting parish life. A lay staff handles business, faith formation, music, reception, administration, and maintenance.
- Pastor: Fr. Kevin Peek
- Haitian Chaplain: Fr. Carl Jean
- Permanent Deacon: Rev. Mr. Tony King
- Retired Deacons: Rev. Mr. James Anderson, Rev. Mr. Jerry Lett, Rev. Mr. Augustin Pierre-Louis
- Business Manager: Sylvia Battle
- Director of Faith Formation: Wendy Dominguez Henry
- Receptionist & Bulletin Editor: Marie Fujioka
- Administrative Assistant: Debbie Gittens-Hans
- Maintenance Technician: Henry Hans Jr.
- Custodian: Trinh Dinh
- Housekeeping: Tam Dinh
Faith Formation
Faith formation at Sts. Peter and Paul is offered tuition-free for parish families and includes programs for children, youth preparing for sacraments, and adults seeking ongoing enrichment. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation requires at least one prior year of religious education.
- Religious Education (tuition-free for children)
- First Reconciliation / First Eucharist preparation (with baptismal certificate)
- Confirmation preparation for 10th grade and above
- Adult Enrichment — Sundays 10:00 AM, hybrid (Zoom + in-person)
- Adult Enrichment Zoom: Meeting 8096974778, Passcode 'Tilson'
Men's Monday Rosary Club
All men of the parish are invited to pray the rosary together over Zoom every Monday at 5:00 PM — a long-running tradition at the parish.
- Every Monday, 5:00 PM, via Zoom
- Meeting ID 897 9536 2844
- Passcode 233955
Ministries & Organizations
Parish ministries and organizations build community, support faith formation, and serve those in need. From prayer circles to social justice and the Haitian community, every ministry is a way for parishioners to live out their faith through service, education, and fellowship.
- Religious Education
- Adult Enrichment
- Marriage Ministry
- Men's Monday Rosary Club
- Haitian Social Committee / Haitian Community
- St. Vincent de Paul (food pantry / outreach circle)
- Council of Catholic Women (formerly Ladies Auxiliary)
- St. Jude Circle
- Environment (liturgical environment ministry)
- Choir and Music Ministry
- Bible Study (online)
Haitian Community
The Haitian Catholic community at Sts. Peter and Paul gathers for a weekly Sunday Mass in Haitian Creole at 1:30 PM and is served by a dedicated Haitian chaplain, Fr. Carl Jean. The Haitian Social Committee organizes fellowship and outreach for this vibrant community within the parish.
- Sunday Mass in Haitian Creole — 1:30 PM
- Haitian Chaplain: Fr. Carl Jean
- Haitian Social Committee
Music & Liturgy
Music and liturgical environment are supported by a Director of Music and a volunteer choir that rehearses on Wednesdays, with a dedicated Environment ministry caring for the worship space.
- Director of Music — parish staff
- Choir rehearsal — Wednesdays, 6:30 PM
- Environment ministry (liturgical decor)
Live-Stream & Online Giving
Every Mass is live-streamed so that parishioners and supporters near and far stay connected to the liturgy. Online giving is also available through the parish's GiveCentral portal, and online programming (Bible Study, Men's Rosary, Adult Enrichment) keeps small groups active throughout the week.
- Live Masses on Facebook and YouTube
- Online giving via GiveCentral (Archdiocese of Atlanta portal)
- Archbishop's Annual Appeal — parish code #523
- Online Bible Study — Wednesdays 10:30 AM
Connect
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone, email, or in person at the Tilson Road rectory. Inquiries about ministries and organizations can be directed to Parish Secretary Debbie Gittens-Hans or the Parish Office line.
- Phone: 404-241-5862
- Fax: 404-241-5839
- Parish Office email: [email protected]
- Address: 2560 Tilson Rd., Decatur, GA 30032
- Website: https://ssppatl.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Michael M. Manning1959–(before 1984)
Founding pastor; native of Ireland; previously assigned to Savannah, Thomasville, and Gainesville; oversaw construction and 1961 dedication.
- Father Wise
Remodeled the interior of the church; worked on the building that became the school.
- Father Kevin T. Peek2002–2004
First tenure; remodeled the altar and installed a new altar and tabernacle; moved the Parish Office into the former rectory.
- Father Eric Hill2005–(before 2011)
Implemented landscaping, new sound system, organ, and security system; launched the 'United in Prayer, Building on Faith' capital campaign that funded the larger narthex.
- Father Bryan D. Small2011–2024
Broke ground on building projects in early 2012; incorporated the parish December 12, 2018; led the 2023 Narthex/Nave refresh and began live-streaming Masses in 2020.
- Father Kevin T. PeekJuly 2024–present
Returned as assigned pastor; also serves as Military Chaplain and Airport Chaplain for the Archdiocese of Atlanta.