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Our Cathedral's Story
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The BeginningAmidst the sun-drenched hills and salt-kissed breezes of the US Virgin Islands, there exists a silent witness—a sentinel of stone and spirit. Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral, its foundations rooted in the very earth, whispers tales of centuries.
The story began in 1773 with an Italian Franciscan, Fr Petro Sellaroli. According to a 1997 publication by Sts Peter and Paul Cathedral, Fr Sellaroli offered to reside in St Thomas Island, celebrating weekly in what was then a rented apartment.
Eventually, with money subscribed by the community, Fr. Sellaroli purchased a building owned by the Danish Crown that became the first church. The church was devasted by fire in 1804, and after a prolonged reconstruction, on January 12, 1806, a new building was consecrated and named after the two Apostles, Sts Peter and Paul.
The Cathedral has undergone some renovations over two centuries. At the said epochs, craftsmen have toiled, with each chisel striking a prayer, each mortar mixing a hymn. Seasons of sun, rain, and hurricanes have come and gone, but this Cathedral has always reemerged like a coral reef ascending from the ocean depths. Brushed by the winds, washed by the waters, and lit up by sun and lightning flashes, its stones have held the secrets of faith and resilience. -
Notable RenovationsCountless, or better, nameless people have contributed to what now stands as Sts Peter and Paul Cathedral of the Diocese of Saint Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. Year after year and one decade after another, each generation has contributed to the beauty of this Church.
The bell tower was built in 1878. In 1902, the statues of the two patrons, Saints Peter and Paul, were placed above the outside entrance. Now there are two more inside the sanctuary.
19th Century
The most important improvement in the 19th Century was the interior decoration of the Church. Handsome murals, 12 major scenes, and numerous smaller works were done by two members of the Redemptorist community: Fr Leo Servais and Brother Ildephonsus. These two Belgian artists had already achieved a degree of acclaim for collaborating on the murals at the pilgrimage shrine of Saint Anne de Beaupre, near Quebec. Their work took two and a half years, from February 4, 1899, to September 21, 1901, to complete.
20th Century
In 1931, Church renovations at Sts Peter and Paul began again. A new marble high altar and altar rail were added, as well as mahogany confessionals and a shrine to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. The interior of the Church was completely painted.
On June 30, 1960, when Pope John XXIII created the Prelature of the Virgin Islands, the Church of Sts Peter and Paul became the Cathedral Church. Most Reverend Edward J. Harper, C.Ss.R., the former vice-provincial of the Redemptorists in Puerto Rico was consecrated and installed.
In the 1960s, the Cathedral experienced more changes in its decor. Marble decorations were added to the Bishop’s throne, sanctuary walls, chairs, and church pillars. Two stained glass windows honoring the patron saints, Peter and Paul, were placed on either side of the main altar; the central air conditioning was installed to help block out the street noise and make the Cathedral a more comfortable environment for prayer. It is this same church in which the Cathedra of Bishop Harper was placed when he became the first residential bishop in 1977 as the Prelature of the Virgin Islands was raised to the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands.
The structure that stands now bears renovations and touches as late as the close of the twentieth century. The Cathedral Church was battered by Hurricane Hugo in 1989. In the course of the restoration in the 1990s, the belfry was refurbished and a new roof was put in place. The interior and exterior were repaired and repainted, and a talented artist, Felix Chavez, restored the murals of Fr. Leo and Brother Ildephonsus. Windows and alcoves were decorated, and the original marble stations of the cross were cleaned and returned to the Cathedral walls. It was while these renovations were going on that the Holy Father announced the third Bishop of the Diocese, a native son, Fr Elliott G. Thomas. -
Eternal Echoes: 250 Years!The celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the Cathedral of Sts Peter and Paul began in 2023. After year-long activities including pilgrimages, retreats, novenas, and more, the peak celebration was held in June of 2024.
The entire community of St Thomas Diocese in the Virgin Islands unfurled the banners of celebration. Prior to the main celebration, a highly anticipated gala dinner dance was held on the eve. It was an occasion to celebrate, to give thanks to everyone, especially the benefactors, and to consider how to continue taking care of this jewel that is the Cathedral.
The grand celebration took place on Sunday June 30, 2024, wtih a Pontifical High Mass celebrated in the Cathedral. The Mass was presided at by His Eminence Christophe Cardinal Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States of America. It was concelebrated by the Diocesan Bishop, Most Reverend Jerome Feudjio, as well as Most Reverend Peter Baldacchino, Bishop of Las Cruces, New Mexico, Very Reverend Fr Simon Peter Engurait, Diocesan Administrator of Houma-Thibodaux, and the priests of the Diocese. The Faithful of the Diocese were present, together with friends from within and without the islands.
Following this celebration, the Christian community continued their journey to heaven, to be part of the next 250 years of the Cathedral’s story.
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