Brief History of Peter & Paul Community Services

Early Days
Over 150 years ago, in 1849, the Soulard neighborhood became home to Sts. Peter & Paul Parish, which served the needs of poor German immigrants. An early listing of parish clubs and sodalities included St. Paul’s Benevolent Society, the Men’s Orphan Society and the Vincent de Paul Society. From its beginning the Soulard community has actively served the needs of those who are less fortunate.

In the fall of 1981, a group of parishioners, seeing the need for more shelter space in the city, approached the parish council at Sts. Peter & Paul and asked for a room to open a shelter. The basement of the parish hall was chosen, and volunteers began to serve up to 20 men, women and children each night in what became known as the "Winter Shelter". After two years, the numbers of people being served outgrew the space, and the shelter was moved to the basement of the church, directly beneath the sanctuary.

As the numbers served by the shelter grew, more volunteers and financial support were needed. Other churches offered help, and the shelter program became a collaborative effort of three neighborhood churches: Trinity Lutheran Church, St. Vincent de Paul, and Sts. Peter & Paul.

In 1984, Peter & Paul Community Services became officially incorporated as a 501(c)3. Steve Campbell, the agency’s first executive director continues in that role today.

Over the years, several programs have been created as a direct response to the very real needs of the homeless population in St. Louis.

Today Peter & Paul Community Services continues to alleviate a variety of social problems: unemployment, broken homes, neglect, addiction, illness and the need for shelter, food, and clothing.