As we enjoy the wonderful music provided by the different choirs at St. Peter’s during this  Easter season, we reflect on how the Music Ministry has changed over the years, since we first celebrated Easter in the original chapel, 200 years ago. In 1823, at the consecration of our first church in Liberty, a local paper reported on the “ladies and gentlemen composing the choir of St. John’s church in Frederick”, writing that “much credit is due …we have rarely heard such music in this part of the country”. [1]   It may not have been possible for us to have our own choir for this very first Mass, but the importance of music during this sacred liturgy brought parishioners of St. John’s Parish in Frederick to Liberty – no small distance when traveling by horseback or buggy. 48 years later, in 1871 at the dedication of our 2 nd church, “the most delightful music was rendered by the choir from St. John’s Church, Frederick under its skillful organist and leader, Prof. John C. Engelbrecht”

St. Peter’s Hall, the Church Hall, the Parish Hall, the Town Opera House, the Play House, the Old Hall and most recently, Sappington Hall. Over years, Sappington Hall has been known by a variety of names and has occupied two different locations on the grounds of St. Peter’s; but its role in our Parish and in Libertytown, has remained largely the same. Our first hall was originally the stone church built 200 years ago, which was repurposed in 1871 as a church hall for “Sunday School and other Church purposes”, after the 2nd Church (1871-2004) was built. Like all buildings, repairs are needed from time to time. In 1889, the local paper announced that the hall would be put in “thorough repair” and kept solely “for the uses of St. Peter’s Church”. Parishioners stepped up and the papers reported that [young] Edith Clemson painted then Pastor Eugene Gwynn’s likeness, which was auctioned for the “snug sum of $200”, the proceeds going for the benefit of needed repairs to the hall. In 1895,

Fr. John Leo Collins was born on August 29, 1886, in Tyrone, Dungannon, Ireland. According to the Irish census of 1901, he was residing at 3 Chapel Road, Dungannon, Tyrone, Ireland, with his parents and three sisters. This region of Ireland is currently known as Northern Ireland, by which name it has been known since the remainder of Ireland gained its independence from British rule in 1922. John Leo Collins, aged 21, departed Queenstown (now Cobh), Ireland and arrived in New York City on August 30, 1907. He was described as being 5’8”, with dark complexion, black hair, and brown eyes and his occupation was noted as laborer. He indicated that his final destination was Baltimore and that his sponsoring individual in the US was a cousin, Rev. John. E. Wade, in 1905 a priest in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and pastor of the church of Saints Philip and James in Baltimore, and that he had $25 in his possession, which would be worth about $800 in 2023 dollars. In the US census of 1910

Paul Iaia (pronounced “yaya”) started his pastorate at St. Peter’s on February 21, 1973. The road that brought him to us was long. He was born in New Britain, CT on December 16, 1930, and there attended St. Mary’s School. His studies for the priesthood took him to St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, CT, St. Bernard’s Seminary in Rochester, NY, and St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, MD. He was ordained on May 26, 1956, at the Basilica of the Assumption in Baltimore, by Archbishop Francis P. Keough. Fr. Iaia was first assigned as associate pastor to Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Middle River; All Saints Parish, Baltimore; St. Patrick’s, Havre de Grace; and St. Charles Borromeo, Pikesville. He was appointed pastor of St. Peter’s in Libertytown on February 21, 1973. He was an active achiever (perhaps an overachiever) at St. Peters. In the religious education program he began the St. Peter’s Youth (SPY). He wrote a brief history of health care at St. Peter’s, which he observed had bee

One hundred twenty-one years after its March 1882 founding by the Venerable Fr. Michael McGivney in New Haven, Connecticut, the Knights of Columbus came to St Peter the Apostle Parish on March 6th, 2003. This Catholic fraternal service order was founded on the principal of protecting the integrity of the family, especially when the father passes away while raising his family. While the Knights began as a fraternal insurance order, Fr. McGivney wanted the Catholic man to have spiritual and brotherly support from his fellow Catholic man, thus their principles of charity, unity, and fraternity. In 1882, the first members chose Columbus as their patron, recognizing him as a Catholic who is celebrated as the discoverer of America. Richard L. Sherbert was the Maryland State Deputy twenty years ago and was present for the initiation of St. Peter the Apostle Council 13290. District Deputy, Gary Armbruster, was responsible for bringing the Knights to St. Peter’s parish and it was done so with