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SS. PETER AND PAUL ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
508 Cherry Street~Jamestown, NY 14701
Ph. 664-5703

SS Peter and Paul Roman Catholic was established in 1854. The present church and rectory were constructed in the 1890's during the pastorate of the Rev. Richard Coyle, the cornerstone being laid on 22 July 1894. The building was dedicated by the Right Rev. James Edward Quigley, Bishop of Buffalo, on 17 June 1900. It was consecrated on 29 June 1913 (the Feast of SS Peter and Paul) by the Right Rev. Charles Henry Colton, Bishop of Buffalo. Affectionately known as "St. Pete's," it is the first and oldest Catholic congregation in Southern Chautauqua County. In 2005, the parish has nearly 900 families, comprising about 2130 individuals. The Rev. Dennis W. Mende is the pastor.

The architect for the church building was Franz Joseph Untersee, AIA, who was born in Glarud, Switzerland in 1858. He immigrated to the United States around 1882. At the time he created the drawings for the church (some of which are on display in the church) he was working from his office at 178 Devonshire St., Boston. He died at his home in Brookline, Massachusetts, on 5 September 1927.

The architecture of the church is in the Gothic Revival style, using the traditional cruciform plan. The plan is symmetrical with the exception of the west elevation which is asymmetrical, featuring a prominent tower on the northwest corner. The tower is approximately 82' above the sidewalk grade.

The exterior walls are a rock-faced stone facade. The roof covering is slate with a copper ridge, valleys and downspouts. The roofline is accented with 12 stone finials at most roof corners, 4 stone crosses, and one copper and wrought iron cross.

The interior features a ceiling supported by (wooden) Gothic arches designed in the hammer beam style. All of the walls have oak wainscoting. Light is admitted into the building by rectangular windows at the first floor level, a row of clerestory windows above, and through additional windows in roof dormers. The west elevation features an eleven foot diameter rose window. All windows are of stained glass. The north and south transcepts feature large (11' wide and 22'6" high) stained glass windows. Designed and crafted by Frohe Studios of Buffalo in 1907, the north window depicts the Epiphany and the south depicts the Crucifixion. The wall of the apse has six lancet windows depicting Saints Peter and Paul and the four Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Each of the 14 Stations of the Cross is depicted with an oil painting. These were originally part of a church on this property predating the present building.

The 20 rank pipe organ, built by A.B. Felgemacher, was installed in 1899. It was renovated in 1967 by Tellers. A refurbishing in 1999 by Fischer added a Schantz console, as well as 22 Walker electronic ranks, and a Midi Multiplex replay system.

The lower level of the building was completely renovated in 2001-02. Here are located the St. Joseph Chapel, church hall and kitchen, and various meeting rooms.