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Parish History
1885
The Diocese of Omaha is officially founded on August 2, 1885, under Bishop James O'Connor.
1886
The attractive area of 28th and Leavenworth is selected as the future location of Omaha's new cathedral; however, it is decided that a temporary school and church will use this site until the cathedral project is fully funded.
1887
 The new St. Peter building — with a church on the second floor and a school on the first — is dedicated at 28th and Leavenworth. Rev. P.J. Boyle becomes the first pastor of Omaha's St. Peter parish; Rev. William St. Lawrence is the parish administrator.
In its first year of operation, St. Peter school has an enrollment of 172 students under the tutelage of the Religious of the Sacred Heart.
1891
Rev. Thomas Conway is appointed pastor of St. Peter parish.
1893
Rev. Thomas Walsh is appointed pastor of St. Peter parish.
1895
 St. Peter school is turned over to the care of the Sisters of Mercy.
1897
Rev. John English is appointed pastor of St. Peter parish.
1900
Msgr. James Aherne becomes pastor of St. Peter parish.
1903
Rev. Peter McLaughlin is appointed pastor of St. Peter parish.
1904
The Sisters of Mercy purchase a five-story school building located where the north parking lot is now situated. The school is renamed St. Berchman's Academy. The Sisters of Mercy run this independent school while still overseeing St. Peter School.
1905
The construction of St. Cecilia's Cathedral begins under Bishop Richard Scannell's administration. Originally intended to be located at 28th and Leavenworth, the cathedral is instead situated further west at its current North 40th Street address.
1907
Rev. Patrick McGovern is appointed pastor of St. Peter parish. (Fr. McGovern will later become the bishop of Cheyenne, Wyoming.)
1912
Rev. J.F. McCarthy is appointed pastor of St. Peter parish. One of his goals is to build a new church to replace the "temporary" one erected in the 1880s. Rev. McCarthy and the St. Peter parishioners begin a fundraising effort that will go on for several years.
Seven lots are purchased at 31st and Pacific; the land is intended as the site of the new, permanent St. Peter church.
1924
Rev. McCarthy succeeds in setting aside about $100,000 for the new church, a considerable sum for the times. The 31st and Pacific site purchased in 1912 is no longer considered workable as a location, so it is decided the new St. Peter church will be built next to the existing one.
On August 18, a ground-breaking ceremony is held for the new church. The structure is designed by the firm of John Latenser & Sons; the general contractor is Alex Beck.
1926
 The new St. Peter Catholic Church is dedicated on May 9. The structure's Greco-Roman facade and its five-aisled, "no-pillar" nave are unique for the time period. The beautiful stained-glass windows are imports from Bavaria; the Carrara marble used for the altar is from Italy.
The old St. Peter building, a combination school-church, is now used exclusively as the school.
1927
Msgr. James Stenson is appointed pastor of St. Peter parish.
1929
St. Berchman's Academy is renamed St. Mary's High School. It is the forerunner of today's Mercy High School.
1931
It is reported the costs of the new church have been paid in full.
St. Peter school has grown to 300 students.
1938
The old St. Peter building is used as a school for the last time; the building will be razed soon to make room for a new, larger school building.
1939
The new St. Peter school building opens. It is designed by the firm of Kimball, Steele & Sandham.
1944
Msgr. James O'Brien is appointed pastor of St. Peter parish.
1955
Work begins on second-floor additions to the school building.
1956
Plans for a new convent building are announced.
1959
Air-conditioning is installed in the church.
1963
Electronic chimes are purchased for the bell tower.
1972
Rev. Ralph O'Donnell is appointed pastor of St. Peter parish.
1973
Rev. Patrick Nolan is appointed pastor of St. Peter parish.
1975
The interior of the church is remodeled. A new church roof is laid.
1976
The building that is now McMahon Hall is purchased by St. Peter parish. During the tenure of pastor Rev. Patrick Nolan, the parish buys several properties in the immediate area.
1979
Rev. Richard Ciurej is appointed pastor of St. Peter parish.
The Sisters of Mercy spend their last year running the parish school.
1980
The original church pipe organ is repaired and the choir loft is remodeled.
1993
Rev. Aloysius McMahon is appointed pastor of St. Peter parish.
1996
Rev. John Rizzo is appointed pastor of St. Peter parish.
2001
On October 14, St. Peter Church's first Mass in Spanish is celebrated.
2004
Rev. Damien Cook is appointed pastor of St. Peter parish.
2005
 The St. Peter clergy, staff and parishioners renovate the bingo hall into a multi-purpose venue. It is renamed McMahon Hall in honor of former pastor Rev. Aloysius McMahon.
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