St. Peter’s is currently under the care of Salvatorian priests, members of the Society of Divine Savior.  Fr. Waldemar is assisted by the parish council.  The chairman of Pastoral Parish Council is Vincent Willden and the financial chairman is Keith Phillips.

Church History – on January 7^th 1854, the missionary parish of Nanaimo was formed.  Bishop Demmers blessed the first chapel and placed it under the invocation of St. Peter.  It remained a mission chapel until 1876 when Bishop Charles Seghers installed Fr. Lemmens as the first resident parish priest.

The sisters of St. Ann arrived on April 18^th 1877.  Within a few days a school was opened.  A new church was built and was opened for midnight mass on Christmas Day 1878.  In 1879 construction was started on a new convent on land donated by Bishop Seghers.

In 1910, a disastrous fire destroyed both convent and church.  A new building was constructed and opened by 1911.  Wellington had become a ghost town so Fr. Heynan transferred the church from Wellington to Nanaimo.  A bell in the present St. Peter’s church bears this inscription, “this bell was bought after the fire of July 11^th 1910.” 

After many years of devoted service Fr. Heynan retired in 1937.  His successor was Fr. Lewis MacLellan, the first local priest to be installed as pastor of Nanaimo.  The early priests had come from Belgium and Holland. 

A campaign to raise funds for a new St. Peter’s church was undertaken and on the feast of St. Joseph, in March of 1958 Bishop Hill turned the first sod.  The church was opened and dedicated on May 1^st, 1960. 

After many years of service the sisters decided to close the convent in 1966.  In 1968 the parish celebrated a mortgage burning.  Fr. Phillip Hanley, was the new pastor.  In 1969, Monsignor Baker, passed away and now lies buried beside the church he helped to build.  There is not much more  information available until the arrival of the Polish Priest, Fr. Darius Zarebski.  The church roof and windows had degenerated allowing the East winds to drive rain into the body of the Church.  The roof was replaced and stain glass windows were added. 

Fr. Zarebski was the first Salvatorian priest to become a pastor at St. Peters.  Under his Guidance the spiritual life of the church has been envigorated.  He initiated 40 hours adoration of the Blessed Sacrament weekly, outdoor processions on the feast of Corpus Christi.  He encouraged devotion to the Sacred Heart of Mercy and many other pious devotions.  Fr. Darek, was always assisted by many parish ministries especially the music ministry.  At the 5:00pm mass of anticipation on Saturday night, Keith Phillips directs the children’s choir.  He is assisted by Christina Saab and Phil Perrin of the youth ministry.  The Choir at 8:30am Sunday Mass is directed by Erlinda Okano.  The organ is played by Lydia Salvosa with the aid of her husband Rico.  Jacquie Droz conducts and plays for the 10:30am Sunday Mass as well as many weddings and funerals.

Fr. Darek was moved to Burnaby in 2006 and was replaced by Fr. Waldemar Podlasz who has continued to enhance the Parish spiritual life by encouraging the beauty of the liturgy.  Beautiful flowers always adorn the altar and for special occasions such as Christmas and Easter the altar is especially glorious.

The Ark of the Covenant, traveling across Canada to raise awareness of the Eucharistic Congress to be held in Quebec city in 2008, visited St. Peter’s in the spring.  An amazing tent of tule, more than 10 feet long, was constructed over the ark and flowers were banked around it.  The ark rested in a table shimmering in gold cloth. 

The very active C.W.L. whose president is Germaine Simpson and the Knights of Columbus whose grand knight is George Martin also assist Father. 

St. Peter’s Catholic Women’s League was chartered on October 20^th 1937 at a meeting at St. Ann’s convent.  They raise funds for needy cases by catering; teas, bazaars, and rummage sales.  The Missions both domestic and foreign have been aided by these funds through the years.  Education has also benefited by C.W.L. scholarships.  Contributions were made to the cost of building St. Peter’s church which was dedicated May 1^st, 1960.  The main alter and crucifix above it and the stained glass window was also donated by the C.W.L.

During the late nineteen forties a need for a fraternal organization for men became evident.  A council for the Knights of Columbus was organized in Nanaimo and was called mid island council.  The local Knights have also established a scholarship fund. Each Christmas season the council works with the St. Vincent de Paul society to aid needy families with gifts and a special food hamper.  The Knights hope to ensure the rights of the unborn.  All concerned citizens must be made aware and be prepared to raise their voices in support of their right to life.  A memorial has been erected beside the church in remembrance of all victims of abortion.

It is estimated that there are more than 1,100 Catholic families in St. Peter’s the number of individuals participating in the Sunday Eucharist is approximately 700.