2005 - St. Peters Catholic Church, Harpers Ferry, WV

A focal point in Lower Town, Harpers Ferry, St. Peter’s Catholic Church stands as a tribute to preservation. St. Peter’s has been an important religious institution and social center in Harpers Ferry for more than one hundred seventy years.

Originally constructed in the 1830’s, St. Peter’s survived as the only Harpers Ferry church not severely damaged or destroyed during the tumultuous battles between the North and South. This survival is even more remarkable, considering during the Civil War, Harpers Ferry changed hands between Union and Confederate control fourteen times. Used as a makeshift hospital, the Church saw wounded soldiers from both the Confederacy and the Union.

The structure that currently stands on an outcropping of shale is considerably different than original construction. Reconstruction occurred in 1896 and altered the footprint of the structure, as well as the façade. Non native materials adorned the new exterior and included granite walls with red sandstone trim. Major design changes also included a new, larger bell tower to replace the existing wooden center steeple.

Unchanged in 1896 were the 44 hand carved steps leading up from High Street to the Church and continuing to Jefferson Rock. The steps, carved from shale, were constructed around 1810 have remained intact for nearly 200 years.

St. Peter’s Catholic Church remains open to the public, but has ceased holding regular religious services. Archeological and Architectural preservation have both been undertaken to preserve the Church and the surrounding structures.