For 135 years, the people of Saint Peter's have been a witness to Jesus Christ in the midtown Manhattan area of New York City.

Since its founding on June 2, 1862, as the "Deutsche Evangelische Lutherische Sanct Petri-Kirche" by a group of German immigrants, Saint Peter's has faithfully served the midtown Manhattan area. Worship services in the German language began in a loft above a feed and grocery store at the corner of 49th Street and Lexington Avenue.

During its first ten years, parish growth required several moves to larger quarters. By the 1890's, it became apparent that English services were required. A large church at the corner of 45th Street and Lexington Avenue served until it was sold to the New York Central Railroad in 1903 for $200,000, all of which was spent in building the new Gothic style church.

Under the leadership of Pastor Edward Friedrich Moldenke and his son, Pastor Alfred B. Moldenke, the parish temporarily worshipped at Beekman Hill Church at 50th Street and Second Avenue until the first building at the present location was built.

From its humble beginnings in a small loft, the congregation moved into its seventh home at 54th Street and Lexington Avenue. The new Gothic church was dedicated on May 14, 1905. It was a beautiful building, typical of Lutheran church design of the time. Carved wooden sculptures, altar and pulpit dominated the chancel with a mural of the Sermon on the Mount above the altar. Glorious stained glass windows pictured scenes from the life of Jesus. In the balcony was space for a three-manual organ, the choir and the overflow crowds.

By the 1920's, German services no longer predominated and English was adopted for morning worship.

In 1925 the legal name of the parish was changed to "Saint Peter's Lutheran Church of Manhattan."

In 1943 Russell Auman was called as our fourth pastor. World War II was raging and so Saint Peter's opened a facility where servicemen could eat, sleep and visit. By the war's end, we had hosted more than 2,000 servicemen from all over the world.

Pastor Auman joined the faculty of Hamma Divinity School in Ohio in 1954, and Leopold W. Bernhard became our fifth pastor. During Pastor Bernhard's tenure, Gordon Jones was hired as the parish organist. Dr. Jones served faithfully until his sudden death in 1990.

Walter E. Bock was called as sixth pastor in 1960. By that time, congregations in New York City were dwindling and Saint Peter's was no exception. Rather than flee to the suburbs, the people of Saint Peter's decided to affirm human life amidst the skyscrapers and develop a ministry that would serve more than just a Sunday congregation. The church called Ralph E. Peterson as its seventh pastor. A renewal of liturgical life unfolded and new programs in jazz, drama and the arts were developed. John Garcia Gensel joined the staff as the first pastor to the jazz community.

In 1969 the congregation unanimously adopted a statement of purpose which declared, "We must neither fear nor avoid our mission, but must strive to bring a witness to this city," listing the various ways to do this, one of which was to use our valuable real estate as a resource for this ministry. In 1970 we authorized the sale of the building and formed a condominium with Citicorp to develop a new complex at the intersection.

Our new church was to serve widely diverse persons, and be an inviting space to all with its interior visible to passers by.

As the new building went up, we planned the shape of our public ministry in this new space. In addition to our primary function - to provide frequent worship opportunities, pastoral ministry, Christian education and congregational life for our members - we would reach out beyond our sanctuary to those living and working here, to the international community, tourists, visitors and to those often forgotten - the aged, ill, street people, singles, the poor and in fact, to welcome all.

When the exciting new building was consecrated in 1977, it became known as a welcoming place. The interior, designed by Vignelli Associates, is a flexible space allowing for a great variety of expressions of worship through liturgy, song, sermon, dance, music and poetry. It is a place for all , a majestic rock, a sanctuary of light, a surprise on Lexington Avenue.

For the new building, the eminent American sculptor, Louise Nevelson, designed a breath-taking sculptural environment in white and gold - the chapel of the Good Shepherd - an oasis of prayer and meditation.

Saint Peter's launched this new space by fulfilling its plan for innovative programs in worship, the arts and social services. The "Black Box Theater" opened under the auspices of the Midtown Arts Common, weekday jazz luncheons began, rotating art exhibits opened and the "living room" became a welcomed place for a weekly feeding program for the homeless, and a support program for the frail elderly.

In 1982, Dr. John S. Damm became our eighth senior pastor leading us, with his loving care and articulate preaching, to extend our mission. During Pastor Damm's tenure we developed the acclaimed Momentum program in an effort to minister to persons living with AIDS.

Dr. Thomas Schmidt became the director of music in 1990. The outstanding music program was revitalized offering weekly organ recitals, concerts, the annual acclaimed Basically Bach Festival, and opportunities to participate in the music life of the community.

Ronald Roschke served as our ninth senior pastor during the early 1990's leading us into the computer age.

Our ministry to the Jazz Community continues under the guidance of Pastor Dale Lind. Through his innovative leadership we are able to provide Jazz liturgies, pastoral care and concerts for Jazz musicians and their friends.

Pastor Hector Ribone, who coordinates our multi-cultural and international ministries, conducts a Spanish language Mass each week and is active in service to the United Nations and our many international guests.

Pastor Carol E. A. Fryer served Saint Peter's part-time before becoming our Assistant Pastor for Membership in 2001.

In all these programs, the people of Saint Peter's regard the city as a resource - not a burden, a source of joy - not of fear. If there is anything unique about the Church's relationship to the city, it lies in the ability of the Church to see the city as part of redeemed creation, something to be valued and loved.

A seasoned parish pastor, Amandus J. Derr came to Saint Peter's in 1997. With him, we look forward to the challenges ahead. How do we continue what we have begun in Jesus' name? Where will "Life at the Intersection" lead us next? With faith and joy, we continue to affirm human life amid the skyscrapers - life redeemed by Jesus Christ.