Picnic reflects church's origins

Monday, August 18, 2014 1:12 PM EDT

By ERICA SCHMITT STAFF WRITER

NEW BRITAIN Its not surprising that a church founded on unity would welcome people of all ethnicities to its annual events.

And thats exactly how St. Peters Church operates, from Sundays annual summer picnic to its Oktoberfest on Sept. 27.

I love the parishioners here; they have withstood a lot of hardships but are very loyal and welcoming to everyone, Bernadette Janiol, the church secretary and bookkeeper, said Sunday.

The second oldest church in New Britain, St. Peters was established in 1873 by German immigrants. In 1890 they began construction on the church building in Franklin Square.

They started with the cellar and ran out of money, said Franz Kuch, a lifelong parishioner. They raised more money and 10 years later built the upstairs, he continued.

When French-speaking families settled in the area, they looked to form a Catholic church.

They were going to build their own, but didnt have enough money, added Kuch. The priest here at the time spoke German, French and English, so he asked them to join this church.

That would be the Rev. Charles Coppens.

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Picnic reflects church's origins