Closure of SS Peter & Paul
History of SS Peter and Paul Church
Founded: 1887 and Dedicated on October 21, 1888
Closed: March 2, 2025
SS. Peter and Paul Parish was founded in 1887 during a time when the City of Saginaw was growing during the days of a booming lumber industry. Bishop Henry J. Richter appointed Fr. Joseph Banning to begin forming a new parish.
The first Masses were in the McPhillips Grocery Store on the corner of Perry and S. Michigan while the church on Wayne Street was being built. It was dedicated on October 21, 1888, under the leadership of Fr. Edward LeFevre. Under Fr. LeFevre’s leadership, the church was
considered a “Landmark” in the neighborhood.
The school opened in 1889, and the Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids served as leaders and teachers for most of its history.
On June 18, 1950, Saint Stephen Parish was established under the care of SS. Peter and Paul Parish. In 1973 SS. Peter & Paul started to build a new campus at their present site in Saginaw Township at 4735 West Michigan.
These two parishes merged on July 1, 2015 under the direction of Bishop Joseph Cistone and was named St. Dominic Parish.
We are forever grateful to the former Pastors, the Dominican Sisters, and our ancestors who gave so much to form SS. Peter and Paul community. Our liturgies have always been filled with energy and prayer. Outreach to the community continues to this day. We come
from various ethnic and economic backgrounds. Together, we proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.
SS Peter and Paul Church was officially closed with a Mass of Celebration on Sunday, March 2, 2025. Bishop Gruss presided over the Mass with
Fr. Richard John, Fr. Jack Johnson and Deacon Roger Pasionek.
