About Sts. Peter and Paul · Hamburg, New York
Ss. Peter & Paul is a Roman Catholic parish in the village of Hamburg, New York, founded in 1844 by twenty-two German farming families as 'Saints Peter & Paul's German Catholic Church of Hamburg, NY.' Today it is a thriving Eucharistic community that also operates a PreK–8th grade Catholic school of more than 180 students and an active Parish Outreach center. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Buffalo and is part of the multi-parish Eternal Flame Catholic Family of Parishes, where it is served by Family Pastor Rev. James (Jim) Ciupek, Senior Parochial Vicar Rev. Edward (Fr. Ted) Jost, and Parochial Vicar Rev. Christopher Emminger.
- Established
- 1844
- Patron
- Saints Peter and Paul
- Rector
- Rev. James (Jim) Ciupek
- Diocese
- Diocese of Buffalo
Why belong here
Ss. Peter & Paul is a Eucharistic community that lives its faith in concrete service to Hamburg — through a parish school educating more than 180 children, a Parish Outreach center that meets material needs, and groups like the St. Vincent de Paul Society and the Altar and Rosary Society. Daily Mass, Saturday confessions, First Friday Adoration, RCIA, youth ministry, Little Rock Scripture Study, and the Pro-Life Committee offer every member of the family a way to grow in faith and serve their neighbors.
Mass times at Sts. Peter and Paul
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:30 – 3:45 pm
Adoration times
- First Friday Adoration (SSPP & Nativity) — see parish news for current schedule
About Ss. Peter & Paul Parish
Ss. Peter & Paul is a Eucharistic community in the village of Hamburg, New York, called to live Christ's gospel message through the gifts of its members. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Buffalo and today is part of the Eternal Flame Catholic Family of Parishes, sharing pastoral leadership with neighboring parishes. From its rectory at 66 East Main Street, the parish runs a Catholic school, an Outreach Center, and a wide network of ministries serving the Hamburg community.
- Founded 1844 by 22 German Catholic families
- Romanesque-style church built 1910, dedicated 1911
- Member of the Eternal Flame Catholic Family of Parishes
Parish History
The parish traces its origin to 1844, when 22 German families in White's Corners (today Hamburg village) formed their own congregation. The first church was a former Freewill Baptist meetinghouse purchased in 1845 for $650. A second brick church with a tower was built in 1860 and dedicated on the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, June 19, 1863. The present Romanesque church was constructed in 1910 and dedicated by Bishop Charles H. Colton on July 2, 1911, allowing the growing congregation to remain one parish.
- First church building purchased June 11, 1845 for $650
- Second brick church dedicated June 19, 1863
- Third (current) Romanesque church dedicated July 2, 1911
- Social Center with Franciscan Chapel and gymnasium completed in 2006
- Church interior repainted for its 100th anniversary in 2011
- School cafeteria renovated in 2015
Clergy, Deacons & Staff
Ss. Peter & Paul is served by three priests, three deacons, and a full lay staff including a school principal, Director of Worship/Music, Director of Discipleship & Faith Formation, Parish Outreach Coordinator, Business Manager, parish secretaries, and cemetery/maintenance personnel. The Family Pastor of the Eternal Flame Catholic Family of Parishes is Rev. James (Jim) Ciupek.
- Rev. James (Jim) Ciupek — Family Pastor
- Rev. Edward (Father Ted) Jost — Senior Parochial Vicar (School Chaplain)
- Rev. Christopher Emminger — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Robb Ciezki, Deacon Dennis Conroy, Deacon Carlton Koester
- Rachael Rizzo — School Principal
- Nicholas Dragone — Director of Worship/Music Ministry
- Timothy Gastle — Contemporary Ensemble Director
- Jennifer Golinski — Director of Discipleship & Faith Formation
- Karin Dusza — Coordinator of Parish Outreach
- Katherine Sion-Wypij — Business Manager
- Mary Conroy & Linda Reimondo — Parish Secretaries
- Kevin Schweizer — Cemetery Operations; Kyle Schweizer — Parish Maintenance
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic School
Ss. Peter & Paul has operated a Catholic school continuously since 1863, making it one of the oldest parish schools in the Buffalo Southtowns. Today it is a PreK through 8th grade school serving more than 180 boys and girls, rooted in Catholic tradition and Gospel values. The school partners with families to promote faith, respect, charity, and quality education in a nurturing and challenging environment. The 1874 school building was replaced by a combination grammar and high school dedicated by Rev. Nelson H. Baker on November 13, 1921.
- PreK3/K4, Lower Elementary (K–2), Upper Elementary (3–5), Middle School (6–8)
- Principal: Mrs. Rachael Rizzo
- School address: 68 East Main St., Hamburg, NY 14075
- School phone: (716) 649-7030
- Family Pastor / Superintendent: Rev. James Ciupek
- School Chaplain: Rev. Ted Jost
Faith Formation & Discipleship
The parish runs a vibrant Faith Formation program under Director of Discipleship & Faith Formation Jennifer Golinski. Beyond traditional religious education for children, the parish offers RCIA for adults, Little Rock Scripture Study throughout the year, Bible Sharing using 'God's Word Today,' and a Parish Enrichment Committee that designs adult programs to help parishioners grow holistically in their faith.
- Faith Formation / Discipleship — Jennifer Golinski
- RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
- Little Rock Scripture Study
- Bible Sharing
- Parish Enrichment Committee
Sacraments
Baptism is celebrated each Sunday at 1:30 pm, with pre-Baptismal instruction for parents on the fourth Monday of each month (mandatory for first-time parents). Couples seeking Marriage should contact a parish priest at least six months in advance and attend a one-day Pre-Cana program run by trained married couples. Adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church are welcomed through the RCIA process, which culminates in the celebration of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.
- Baptism — Sundays 1:30 pm; parent class fourth Monday monthly
- Marriage Preparation — 6 months advance notice required
- Pre-Cana program run by trained married couples
- RCIA — formation culminating at Easter Vigil
Parish Ministries & Groups
Ss. Peter & Paul supports a wide range of parish groups that spread the gospel through service, prayer, education, and fellowship. Charitable groups include the St. Vincent de Paul Society and Parish Outreach; devotional groups include the Altar and Rosary Society; formation groups include Little Rock Scripture Study, Bible Sharing, and Parish Enrichment. Liturgical ministries include Altar Servers, and there is a Pro-Life Committee and a Bishop's Committee mothers' discussion group that meets October through May.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Parish Outreach (Coordinator: Karin Dusza)
- Altar and Rosary Society
- Altar Servers (5th grade and up)
- Youth Ministry (high school, Friday evenings; 7th–8th grade events)
- Pro-Life Committee
- Bishop's Committee (mothers' group, Oct–May)
- Parish Enrichment Committee
Music & Liturgy
The parish's music ministry is led by Director of Worship/Music Ministry Nicholas Dragone and Contemporary Ensemble Director Timothy Gastle. Together they support the sung liturgy at daily, weekend, and special Masses across the parish's varied schedule.
- Nicholas Dragone — Director of Worship/Music Ministry
- Timothy Gastle — Contemporary Ensemble Director
- Music Ministry contact: [email protected]
Outreach & Charity
Parish Outreach, coordinated by Karin Dusza, runs from the Outreach Center at 36 Pine Street (phone 716-648-1725, Mon–Fri 9:00–4:00). The parish also supports the St. Vincent de Paul Society in its ministry to neighbors in need across the Hamburg community.
- Parish Outreach Center — 36 Pine St., Hamburg, NY 14075
- Outreach phone: (716) 648-1725
- Outreach Coordinator: Karin Dusza
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
Cemetery
The parish cemetery was purchased in 1875 by Rev. Vincenz Scheffels and continues under parish care today. Cemetery operations are handled by Kevin Schweizer through the rectory office.
- Cemetery purchased 1875 by Rev. Vincenz Scheffels
- Cemetery Operations: Kevin Schweizer
- Contact via parish rectory: (716) 649-2765
Eternal Flame Catholic Family of Parishes
Ss. Peter & Paul is a member parish of the Eternal Flame Catholic Family of Parishes, sharing clergy and faith-formation resources with neighboring Southtowns parishes. The Family Pastor is Rev. James (Jim) Ciupek, and Fr. Ted Jost serves as resident parochial vicar at Ss. Peter & Paul. The collaboration allows shared sacramental life, school support, and joint activities like First Friday Adoration and Lenten programming.
- Ss. Peter & Paul, Hamburg
- Nativity of Our Lord, Orchard Park
- St. Bernadette, Orchard Park
- St. John the Baptist, Boston
- St. Mary's
Visit, Contact & Location
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed at the rectory, school, and Outreach Center, all located within easy walking distance in the village of Hamburg. Office hours at the rectory are Monday through Friday, 9:00 am–12:00 pm and 12:30–4:00 pm. The parish is handicapped accessible thanks to the 2006 Social Center addition.
- Parish Rectory — 66 East Main St., Hamburg, NY 14075 — (716) 649-2765
- School — 68 East Main St., Hamburg, NY 14075 — (716) 649-7030
- Outreach Center — 36 Pine St., Hamburg, NY 14075 — (716) 648-1725
- Rectory office hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 am–12:00 pm and 12:30–4:00 pm
- Outreach hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 am–4:00 pm
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Johann Nicholas Mertzuntil 1844
East Eden pastor whose death prompted Hamburg families to form their own congregation.
- Rev. George Paxaround 1860
Raised funds to build the second (brick) church with a tower in 1860.
- Rev. Vincenz Scheffels19th century
Purchased the parish cemetery in 1875; served as pastor on three separate occasions.
- Rev. Andrew Freyaround 1900
Wrote 'An Historical Sketch of SS. Peter and Paul Parish' in 1900.
- Rev. Anthony Bornefeld1908 – April 7, 1920
Built the present Romanesque church (1910–1911); died in the church. Donor of stained-glass windows and an enameled chalice.
- Rev. Anthony VeitMay 7, 1920 – 1957
Served 37 years; replaced the 1874 school with a combination grammar and high school dedicated by Rev. Nelson H. Baker on November 13, 1921.
- Rev. James (Jim) Ciupekpresent
Current Family Pastor of the Eternal Flame Catholic Family of Parishes.