Recalling a Peru Landmark
By John T. Ryan
Over the years I have taken many photos or scanned old photos of St. Augustine’s Church. Yesterday, I was asked for photos of the church that once stood where St. Augustine’s Church now stands. That request motivated this post.
Constructed in 1884, the old church was razed in spring 1981. On June 2, 1981 ground was broken on today’s church while Mass was conducted in the newly completed Paul Calkins Memorial Hall at St. Augustine’s School. The first Mass in the new church was celebrated on December 24, 1981. On August 22, 1982, seven hundred and fifty parishioners and friends were present as Bishop Stanislaus Brzana dedicated the church. Click here for more photos.
• 1849-1884- Peru was a station of Keeseville. Masses were conducted in various Peru homes.
• Feb, 1883-Seventy French-Canadian families from Peru, through Father Fabian Barnabe of Keeseville, petitioned Bishop Edgar Wadhams for permission to erect a church.
• August 22, 1883—The church was Incorporated as St. Fabian’s Church.
• August 23, 1883—The church was renamed and incorporated as St. Augustine’s.
• 1883-Permission was granted to erect a church; Mrs. Franklin (Harriet) Elmore donated 6 acres to be used for the church and burying grounds. The frame for the church was 35 by 60 feet. Funding for the church was acquired by subscription from parishioners as well as many of the Protestant population. The pastor Father Guilbault contributed one hundred dollars.
• 1884-1886-Peru was a mission of Keeseville; Rev. Damase Guilbault was pastor.
• 1891-The bell tower and steeple were added; the church was blessed by Rev. Thomas Walsh, V.G. on July 22.
Posted: January 13th, 2021 under Community Events, Northern NY News, Peru News, Peru/Regional History.
Comment from Bill Ashley
Time January 14, 2021 at 8:35 pm
My family went to mass in that church for many years. I was an altar boy as a student at the St Augustin school. I was in the first class to graduate from the school. Ieft the North Country in 1977, my parents stayed in Peru until the mid 80s. They were distraught when it was torn down said it took a lot of work to tear down the old steeple and church. I’m not sure they ever went into the new structure opting to go to Treadwell Mill instead.