Historic St. Peter’s Annual Homecoming

Join Us This Sunday September 21, 2014 for the Historic St. Peter’s Annual Homecoming.

This service is Commemorating the 109 anniversary of the churches closing in 1905.

The historic St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran is located on St. Peter’s Road south of Versailles off of State Route 185 south.

The day will begin with a Hog Roast dinner for those with reservations prepared by Trinity of Versailles and served on the church lawn at 12:30 p.m.

The afternoon will get underway with special music provided by the Lance Family at 1:45 p.m. This talented family will fill the old church with the sounds of awesome music.

A historic Hymn Sing and brief worship service will begin at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Bob Akins of Trinity as the clergy for the day.

The original pump organ, which is over 125 years old, will be used for the service and we will sing all your favorite old hymns.

St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church was founded in 1850 by a group of Prussian immigrants who settled around Webster, Ohio beginning in the early 1830’s. Because of this large German influx, the area became known as “Dutch Roost”. These rich forests became fertile fields and successful farms for the enterprising Germans who were eager to make this part of America their home.


Most were staunch Lutheran in their religious upbringing and attended Friedens at Bloomer, some five miles away. While by today’s standards is not far, when the entire family walks to worship in all seasons the trip becomes much more daunting. So by 1850 the families around Webster began to plan for their own church.

The log church was built on land donated by Fredrick Seibt and was centered in the settlement. The simple church later covered in clapboard, remains as they left it in 1905 when the preference for English over their native German was preferred for worship.

St. Peter’s is believed to be the last log church in Wayne Township and possible in Darke County.

Today, St. Peter’s is on the National Register of historic buildings. While the descendents of those early German families are scattered all over the United States, a service is held once a year. This is a chance for reunions or perhaps more importantly a chance to step back and give thanks for those who walked these roads before us.

Come and enjoy an autumn afternoon in the country where our ancestors walked and prayed as we celebrate their legacy, their story, in their home!