The only church in Harpers Ferry to survive the Civil War, this 1833 building was reshaped in the Neo-Gothic style in 1896 and now looks down the gorge of the Shenandoah River.
At a glance
St. Peter’s stands on the heights above Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, above the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers. The present appearance of the church dates from an extensive alteration in 1896, when it was remodelled in the Neo-Gothic taste of the day. The original 1833 church had been built in a pseudo-Gothic style, and that earlier form remained intact through the Civil War.
History
The first church on this site was erected in 1833. During the Civil War, when Harpers Ferry changed hands repeatedly and much of the town was damaged or destroyed, St. Peter’s escaped destruction. The parish’s claim that it was the only church in Harpers Ferry to do so gives a clear sense of how exposed the town was. In 1896 the building was extensively altered in the Neo-Gothic style then popular, and that is the church visitors see today.
What you see
The church commands a sweeping vista across the gorge of the Shenandoah River above its meeting with the Potomac. That prospect is part of the experience of the place. The street that runs along the side of the church building forms part of the Appalachian Trail; hikers pass directly beside St. Peter’s. A short trail leads from the church to Jefferson Rock, the natural viewpoint associated with Thomas Jefferson’s visit in 1783.
Cultural significance
St. Peter’s holds a rare position in the story of Harpers Ferry: a pre-Civil War church that survived the war intact. Its perch above the two rivers has made it a landmark for hikers and visitors as much as for worshippers. Today the church is a mission of St. James parish in Charles Town.
Key facts
- Country: United States
- City: Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
- Coordinates: 39.32273, -77.7313
- First built: 1833
- Remodelled: 1896 (Neo-Gothic)
Practical information & getting there
Mass is offered at the historic church every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. The street alongside the church is part of the Appalachian Trail, and the church can be reached on foot from the trail or from Harpers Ferry’s lower town. A short path leads from St. Peter’s to Jefferson Rock.
Sources & resources
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