History :

St. Peter's was the first Episcopal church organized in Beverly. The first service was held on July 19, 1863 on the second floor in a building on the corner of Cabot and Essex Streets, then known as Union Hall. In the first years, mission support came from our mother church, St. Peter's in Salem. In 1865 a Gothic style church was erected at the corner of Cabot and Bow streets at the site of today's Bell's Market.

The parish served a wide and diverse area. Along the shore of Prides Crossing and Beverly Farms, an active and affluent summer colony thrived. Their attendance and support formed a very important part of parish life. By 1900, mission services started in Beverly Farms with St. Peter's supplying pastoral support. In 1902, this mission was made a separate parish and became known at St. Johns Church.