About Sts. Peter and Paul · Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Parish is a vibrant Catholic community on Milwaukee's East Side, located at 2490 N. Cramer Street in the 53211 ZIP code. The parish was established in 1889 when Monsignor Leonard Batz dedicated a temporary chapel and commissioned a permanent church building designed by architect Henry Messmer. Today, Saints Peter and Paul is part of a "Family of Four Parishes" — along with Old Saint Mary, Our Lady of Divine Providence, and Three Holy Women — under an In Solidum Team arrangement established by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee on July 1, 2010. The parish is known for its strong sense of community, joyful spirit, engaging liturgies, and active ministries spanning faith formation, social justice, music, and pastoral care.
- Established
- 1889
- Patron
- Saints Peter and Paul (Apostles)
- Rector
- Fr. Timothy L. Kitzke
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Why belong here
Saints Peter and Paul offers a busy, active parish life with members of all ages and a popular Family Ministry providing programs for infants through high-schoolers — and their parents. The parish is committed to living faith in action through volunteer support of the Kinship Community Food Center, St. Ben's Meal Program, Fr. Gene's Help Center, and the local St. Vincent de Paul conference. Engaging liturgies, Children's Liturgy of the Word at the 9:30 am Sunday Mass, frequent young adult gatherings, Bible study, and Apostles' Café with music and refreshments make it a welcoming place to grow spiritually and meet others on their faith journeys.
Mass times at Sts. Peter and Paul
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 7:15 – 7:45 am
- Sunday: 8:30 – 9:15 am
- Or by appointment
- Holy Days: See the Mass Times page
About Saints Peter and Paul Parish
Saints Peter and Paul is a vibrant Catholic community on Milwaukee's East Side. Its mission is to build a vibrant and diverse Catholic community that welcomes and invites all to join in being transformed by Jesus Christ, finding a true home in the Church, deepening faith, and reaching out to others with compassion and justice. The parish is currently part of a Family of Four Parishes — Old Saint Mary, Our Lady of Divine Providence, Saints Peter and Paul, and Three Holy Women — sharing pastoral care under an In Solidum Team arrangement.
- Mission: To build a vibrant and diverse Catholic community welcoming all to be transformed by Jesus Christ
- Core Values: Celebrating the Sacraments, proclaiming the Word, full and active liturgical participation, prayer, faith formation for children, calling forth gifts, welcoming all, engaging world issues, serving the poor
- Family of Four Parishes: Old Saint Mary, Our Lady of Divine Providence, Saints Peter and Paul, Three Holy Women
Parish History
The parish has a long history dating back to 1889. Monsignor Leonard Batz dedicated a temporary chapel that year and commissioned the permanent church designed by architect Henry Messmer. The cornerstone was laid June 1, 1890, and the church was solemnly consecrated in 1892 after being freed of debt largely through Monsignor Batz's personal generosity. On July 1, 2010, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee established an In Solidum Team entrusting pastoral care of four parishes — including Saints Peter and Paul — to a team of priests.
- 1889: Temporary chapel dedicated by Monsignor Leonard Batz
- 1890: Cornerstone of permanent church laid (June 1)
- 1892: Church solemnly consecrated, free of debt
- July 1, 2010: In Solidum Team of four parishes established by Archdiocese
Family Faith Formation and Youth Ministry
The parish's popular Family Ministry provides programs for infants through high-schoolers and their parents. Religious Education is offered through UPLIFT Family Formation, and a Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry coordinates gatherings for older teens and young adults. Children's Liturgy of the Word is offered at the 9:30 am Sunday Mass for kids in grades K4 through 5.
- UPLIFT Family Formation (Religious Education)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word at 9:30 am Sunday Mass (K4–Grade 5)
- Youth and Young Adult Ministry gatherings
- Bible Study opportunities
Liturgical Ministries and Music
Saints Peter and Paul offers many opportunities to serve the church in liturgical ministries, with training provided and scheduling done through Ministry Scheduler Pro. The Music Ministry includes Adult Choir, Children's Choir (grades 1–4, singing at least once a month during the school year), Cantors, Organist/Pianist, and Instrumentalists. The Adult Choir meets Thursdays September through June.
- Acolyte Ministry
- Eucharistic Ministers
- Lector Ministry
- Usher/Minister of Hospitality
- Adult Choir (rehearsals Thursdays, Sept–June)
- Children's Choir (grades 1–4)
- Cantors
- Organist/Pianist
- Instrumentalists
Pastoral Care and Outreach
The Ministry of Care supports parishioners who are homebound or living in health care facilities. During sacred seasons, the parish offers short-term outreach including Holiday Plant Delivery on the second Saturday in December (visiting 200+ parishioners), Ash Wednesday/Holy Week visits bringing blessed ashes, the Eucharist, and Lenten bag lunches. The parish is committed to social justice, supporting Kinship Community Food Center, St. Ben's Meal Program, Fr. Gene's Help Center, and the local St. Vincent de Paul conference.
- Ministry of Care
- Holiday Plant Delivery (2nd Saturday in December)
- Ash Wednesday & Holy Week homebound visits
- Kinship Community Food Center
- St. Ben's Meal Program
- Fr. Gene's Help Center
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference
Getting Involved
Newcomers are warmly welcomed. The parish offers frequent opportunities to grow in faith, serve, and socialize outside of Mass, including young adult gatherings, Bible study, and coffee sales. Apostles' Café, with music and refreshments, is held periodically after the 7 pm Sunday Mass. The parish office at 2491 N. Murray Ave. is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
- Young Adult Gatherings
- Bible Study
- Apostles' Café (after 7 pm Sunday Mass periodically)
- Parish Office: 2491 N. Murray Ave., open Mon/Tue/Thu 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Visit and Accessibility
Saints Peter and Paul welcomes all who seek to worship and serve Jesus Christ. The church is located at the corner of North Cramer Street and East Bradford Avenue; parish offices are at North Murray Street and East Bradford Avenue. The parking lot includes two handicapped spots, and the seven steps to the narthex are equipped with a chair lift that hospitality ministers can operate for visitors who need assistance.
- Parking: Small lot off North Cramer Street; lot behind Catholic East Elementary; neighborhood street parking
- Two handicapped parking spots
- Chair lift to narthex (7 steps) operated by hospitality ministers
- Babies and children of all ages welcome at all Masses
Contact
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone, fax, or email. Office contact is Mary Kababik. The parish office is at 2491 N. Murray Ave., with hours Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
- Phone: 414-962-2443
- Fax: 414-962-8183
- Office contact: Mary Kababik, [email protected]
- Parish Office: 2491 N. Murray Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53211
- Office Hours: Mon/Tue/Thu 9:00 am – 4:00 pm