Our Parish History
 Sts. Peter and Paul 1932 |
 First Holy Communion, 1945 |
In the beginning . . .
The first Catholic Mass celebrated in the Grangeville
area occurred between 1870 and 1880 when the renowned
Jesuit Father Joseph M. Cataldo came to the nearby town
of Mt. Idaho to hold services. In 1892, Fr. William
Kroeger was sent to Keuterville as the first resident
pastor for the Camas Prairie, and Grangeville became
one of his important missions.
There is one source that indicates a church building was erected in Grangeville in 1886, but succumbed to fire in 1893.
There is one source that indicates a church building was erected in Grangeville in 1886, but succumbed to fire in 1893.
The second church, becoming a parish
During the year 1895, a church was erected on the present
site. The first Mass offered in the new church took
place at 9:30am on Wednesday, January 29, 1896. This
church served the parish until 1948.
Father A.M. Billiau became the first resident pastor in Grangeville in July, 1905.
In 1941, Sts Peter and Paul was officially recognized as a parish by the Diocese of Boise.
Plans were made for the current church building in 1947, with completion in 1948. The pastor at the time, Fr. Jerome O'Connor, blessed the church privately and it was first used for the Midnight Mass of Christmas 1948. Bishop Kelly formally dedicated the church to Sts Peter and Paul on May 08, 1949.
Father A.M. Billiau became the first resident pastor in Grangeville in July, 1905.
In 1941, Sts Peter and Paul was officially recognized as a parish by the Diocese of Boise.
Plans were made for the current church building in 1947, with completion in 1948. The pastor at the time, Fr. Jerome O'Connor, blessed the church privately and it was first used for the Midnight Mass of Christmas 1948. Bishop Kelly formally dedicated the church to Sts Peter and Paul on May 08, 1949.
School days . . .
A parish school was built in the early 1950's, for grades
1 through 8. Teachers came from St. Gertrude's Monastery
in Cottonwood, and a convent was erected near the school
for their use.
Handing on the torch
Fr. Bradley Neely, who arrived at Sts Peter and Paul
in 2005, is currently the 36th priest to serve the people
of the Grangeville area
In late 2008 and early 2009, a successful Capital Campaign was waged for the 1st of 4 phases involving expansion of the Sts Peter and Paul campus. The 1st phase involves the moving of the rectory house, currently situated between the church and the school. In the vacated space, a new Parish Activity Center will be constructed, including a multi-use gymnasium / auditorium / parish hall, a church vestibule, kitchen, multi-use room, storage, and new bathrooms.
The balance of the 4 phases includes an extra classroom for the school, an in-house school library, public parish offices and meetings rooms, and a westward addition onto the current church building, providing more seating capacity.
Because parishioners have all inherited a legacy from those who made sacrifices to build facilities in the 1890's and the 1940's and 50's, the Capital Campaign is entitled, "The Legacy Moves Forward."
For more information about our building campaign click here
In late 2008 and early 2009, a successful Capital Campaign was waged for the 1st of 4 phases involving expansion of the Sts Peter and Paul campus. The 1st phase involves the moving of the rectory house, currently situated between the church and the school. In the vacated space, a new Parish Activity Center will be constructed, including a multi-use gymnasium / auditorium / parish hall, a church vestibule, kitchen, multi-use room, storage, and new bathrooms.
The balance of the 4 phases includes an extra classroom for the school, an in-house school library, public parish offices and meetings rooms, and a westward addition onto the current church building, providing more seating capacity.
Because parishioners have all inherited a legacy from those who made sacrifices to build facilities in the 1890's and the 1940's and 50's, the Capital Campaign is entitled, "The Legacy Moves Forward."
For more information about our building campaign click here
