The first building of Saint Peter Catholic Church, Columbia, Pennsylvania, was dedicated on September 12, 1828. Built by a Quaker contractor, Israel Cooper, the parish was first served with priests sent by the Reverend Bernard Keenan from Saint Mary's in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Usually Mass was said in Columbia once a month, and it was not until February 3, 1842, that Father Daniel Kelly was appointed as first resident pastor.

By 1850 it was estimated that 100 families were served by Saint Peter parish. It was then that Father Balfe had the original church enlarged; but by the early 1890's, it was evident that even larger facilities were needed.

On May 6, 1893, Bishop Shanahan appointed Father John J. Hollern as pastor of Saint Peter church. The bishop indicated that a new church should be built. Economic conditions were not good at that time, so Father Hollern delayed. Finally on April 10, 1894, a parish meeting was held and there was unanimous agreement that a new church building was necessary. A year later ther was enough money in the treasury to begin the project.

The corner stone was laid on August 18, 1895, and it was a day of great celebration with over 3,000 visitors coming to town. There were several Masses said that day, as well as speeches and a parade. More celebrating occurred on June 20, 1897, when the completed church was dedicated. The project cost $33,000, and all but $5,000 was paid in cash.

In the early 1900's the recory was remodeled so that the building would tie in with the architecture of the church and convent. A few remodeling and beautification projects, including frescos on the walls and ceiling, were also undertaken. Around the year 1910, the present pipe organ was installed.

In 1928, Saint Peter church celebrated its 100th anniversary. Father Matthew Scanlon, Pastor, was able to pay off the entire church debt. It was also on this date that a church bell was blessed to be placed in the belfry of the convent. The Angelus was rung three times per day and to announce the start of each Mass.

As Saint Peter church continued to flourish, a number of preservation projects were undertaken, including the restoration of the stained glass windows in the santuary in the 1940's and a repainting and redecoration of the interior in the 1950's. For many of these projects, as well as the routine maintenance of the church property, the generous people of the parish were always on hand to lend their time and talents to the project. This has saved the church thousands of dollars over the years. In the 1960's a new school building was erected, and in the 1970's, the deteriorating convent was taken down. The bell was presented to the Mission of Our Lady of Czestochowa near Doylestown, Pennsylvania. A soundproof room for the sacrament of Reconciliation was added to the back of the church in the 1970's as well.

The organ was totally restored in 1984 futh funds raised by the Parish Council of Catholic Women and the Adult Choir. In 1985, the beautiful colored glass exterior doors designed by Father Jack Smith were installed on the three front doors. Nine benefactors donated these doors, as well as the clear plate glass vestibule doors etched with the Celtic Cross. Father Smith also designed a new oak table altar around this time.

The 1998-1999 school year brought about the consolidation of Saint Peter's School and Holy Trinity's School. The school is now known as Our Lady of the Angels Catholc School.