A Legacy of Catholic Education
Established in 1861, St. Peter School has been a cornerstone of Catholic education in Quincy, IL. With over 160 years of history, we continue to uphold our tradition of integrating faith into every aspect of learning.
1861: The first St. Peter parish school opened by Rev. Peter McGirr at 8th and Maine Street in Quincy, staffed by the School Sisters of Notre Dame, with 250 students.
1921: The Sisters of the Most Precious Blood arrived to staff the school. A new location opened at 11th and State Streets with Reverend John Driscoll.
1945: St. Peter Church was destroyed by a tornado.
1949: A new school building was constructed at 2500 Maine Street by Monsignor Thomas Cusack and served both church and school functions.
1962: New church dedicated with Reverend Joseph O'Brien with the former church space converted into classrooms.
1979: Gym and kindergarten room constructed under the direction of Reverend Arthur LeBreton.
1985–1987: A new playground and additional parking was added by Father Roy Bauer.
1988: Introduction of new educational programs including learning disabilities/remedial resource, educable mentally handicapped (EMH) classroom, and Holy Childhood Preschool.
1990–1991: Primary EMH program became part of the special education program and a full-time vocal music teacher was added.
1992: A networked IBM computer lab was introduced.
1993: Advisory Board was formed to handle matters pertaining to the educational programs and school facilities.
1995: A full-time physical education and computer teacher were added to the staff.
1999: The computer lab was updated with 34 new workstations and new system. The music program was discontinued at the end of the year.
2000: Music was reinstated.
2001: Full-day kindergarten began with the new kindergarten room. Seton Hall construction was completed to house grades 7–8. Space in the church basement was converted to a new music room and meeting room with the Martha Jane room.
2003–2004: EMH program closed its doors at the end of the school year.
2004: Father Daniel Bergbower became pastor on July 1 after the retirement of Father Roy Bauer on June 30.
2005–2006: Preschool officially became part of St. Peter School due to the reorganization of Quincy Catholic Schools.
2008: Groundbreaking for the school building addition and church. Father Bergbower departs for military chaplaincy in June with Father John Burnette joining as pastor on July 1.
2009: Classrooms located in the basement of the church were moved to the new addition in the spring. Major summer renovations included a new kindergarten room, computer lab, entry with enclosed walkway between the school and gym, school office layout with new entry door and windows for visibility into the hallway, and preschool room moved to the former kindergarten classroom. Additional electrical outlets and data ports were installed with a fresh coat of paint in the 1949 building.
2011: Father Leo Enlow became pastor. Construction was completed for a parking lot behind the school allowing for a separate area to load and unload buses. Adopt-a-Desk initiative provides new desks for grades 1–6.
2012–2013: Technology advancements included installing an infrastructure for both the parish and school and updating the phone and security systems. Preschool days increased to 4 days to 4 year olds and 3 days for 3 year olds with a new classroom in the church basement for the 3 year old program.
2014: A new playground and roof on the gym, church and rectory was added and iPads were purchased for 3rd, 7th and 8th grades.
2015–2016: Gym repairs were completed to the ceiling and walls, parking lot was repaved, main bathrooms were renovated, new addition and renovation of office space, conference room, library, cafeteria and 2nd grade classroom.
2016–2017: Improvements included new storage sheds built, asbestos was removed, cafeteria bathrooms were updated, and new cabinets in the 3 year old preschool classroom.
2017–2018: New electives were offered for grades 7–8 including Spanish, Creative Writing, Health, etc. and behavior and academic interventionist positions were added. FACTS tuition management system was adopted allowing for online enrollment. New flooring was installed in the bathrooms at Seton Hall and in the kindergarten classrooms, new steps were added at the South entry of the church, and air conditioning was installed in Martha Jane's room.
2019: Air conditioning was replaced in classrooms and added in the halls. All tile floors were replaced in classrooms in the main building.
2020: COVID-19 pandemic leads to distance learning during the 4th quarter.
2020–2021: Adjustments made for safe in-person or remote learning. This was known as the year of the masks. Distance learning for the whole school was limited to 7 days due to the school office personnel being quarantined. In the summer, new flooring was installed in the gym lobby and 4 year old preschool classroom. Father Tolton tribute was created.
2021-2022: STEM Lab launched. Third kindergarten classroom was added. During the summer, the library was relocated to the church basement, kindergarten was moved to the main building, and the parking lot was resealed.
2023: House System identified by saint names was introduced for student fellowship. During the summer, smart projectors were installed and campus security was upgraded.
2024: Capital campaign launched for a new cafeteria and classroom space. The gym floor was replaced with a new wooden floor.
2025: A new sound system was installed. Long range planning for the future of Quincy Catholic Schools continues. The average class size is 23 students. All teachers and the principal hold valid Illinois teaching certifications.
St. Peter School continually grows, evolves, and strengthens its mission through construction, innovation, and Catholic identity.
Who was St. Peter?
Saint Peter, originally named Simon, was a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee with his brother, Saint Andrew. Around the age of forty, Andrew introduced Simon to Jesus, who renamed him Peter. Jesus invited both brothers to follow him, promising to make them "fishers of men." Peter and Andrew became two of Jesus's apostles.
Peter is a powerful example of human weakness and redemption. Despite his loyalty to Jesus, he famously denied knowing him three times, fulfilling a prophecy Jesus had made. This failure, however, didn't define him. Instead, the compassion and mercy he received from God inspired him to show great tenderness and understanding to other sinners.
Due to his deep faith, Peter was the first to recognize Jesus as the Son of the Living God. In response, Jesus gave him the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven and the authority to lead his Church. As the first Pope, Peter became a foundational figure in Christianity, preaching to many people. He died in A.D. 65, and his feast day is celebrated on June 29.
