From the Catholic Standard Archives, June 25, 1992 (reprinted with permission): Elevator Installation

^{Helen Atkins (left) and Margaret Klapthor (in wheelchair) are the first passengers in the new elevator built at St. Peter’s Church, S.E. Architect Andre Houston, Father Michael O’Sullivan, pastor at the parish, and Father Joseph Sadusky, in residence at the parish, join in the ceremony making the historic church more accessible to the handicapped.}

In the Catholic Standard article that ran with this photo, elevator architect and now-deceased St. Peter’s parishioner Andre (Andy) Houston said of the celebration that marked the 1992 installation:

 “Prayers of thanksgiving were said. A parishioner in a wheelchair cut the ribbon and was the first official passenger. For the first time, people in wheelchairs and the elderly with walkers were at the church. Mothers sat next to their sleeping babies in strollers for the first time. The whole parish took note. The whole parish was inclusive for the first time.”

The project at St. Peter’s, which was the culmination of years of advocacy by members of the parish Senior Citizens group, won an award from the National Council on Disability.

Now, after nearly 30 years of ups and downs, the elevator that has carried parishioners from the Second Street ground-level entrance to both church and hall levels, is being replaced. Father Gary Studniewski, pastor, and his building committee have chosen KONE Elevator to install and maintain the new elevator.

According to a recent parish bulletin, the work to remove the old elevator and install the new one will begin March 7, with the new elevator expected to be running by mid-April. It was also noted that interest income from the parish Endowment Trust Fund has been set aside to pay for the elevator replacement. 

Perhaps a prayer to St. Eligius, the patron saint of metalworkers, is in order: St. Eligius, please protect the workers and keep the rest of us patient!