Many historians state that Montgomery fared better during the Depressions than most communities in Alabama. Montgomery suffered less economic hardship due to the presence of the Army Air Corps at Maxwell Field. The base would further aid the economic condition of the city when under the persuasion of Congressman Lister Hill, the U.S. Army moved the Air Corps Tactical School from Virginia to Maxwell (Flynt p. 102). Lister Hill, who would later be elected U.S. Senator from Alabama, was baptized along with his twin sister, Amelie Hill Laslie, by Bishop O’Sullivan of Mobile at their parent’s home in Montgomery on April 28, 1895 (Record of Baptisms 1890-1902, p. 25, St. Peter’s Archives).As the nation slowly recovered from the great Depression, it approached entrance into World War II. With the nation’s entrance into the war, Maxwell Field played yet a larger roll in the national defense. Servicemen throughout the U.S. as well as from Allied countries converged upon Montgomery. Maxwell Air Force Base would continue to play a major role in national defense in the post war era. Maxwell’s presence in Montgomery would also bring an increased number of Catholics to the community, many of whom would retire in Montgomery.Montgomery had an overall population growth in the postwar period. However, the growing urban population would not locate in the traditional neighborhoods around the downtown area. Rather, the expanding population would move into the new subdivisions located in the South and Eastern sections of the city. Most of the Catholic population would follow the trend.The Diocese of Mobile was well aware of this urban movement and in 1955, Our Lady Queen of Mercy Parish was completed on Narrow Lane Road in southeast Montgomery. The most substantial growth extended eastward along the Atlanta Highway. By1969, the once missionary church of St. Bede’s had relocated further east on Atlanta Highway. This eastward population growth resulted in St. Bede’s becoming the largest Catholic church in the city

East Montgomery
The eastward movement trend was further enhanced with the completion of interstate 85 in the late 1960’s. The completion of this massive artery through Montgomery had a two-pronged effect upon St. Peter’s. It would virtually assure a convenient and direct access to and from the downtown area for those citizens living on the east side. The result was that more families locating to the east side from the traditional neighborhoods which were part of St. Peter’s boundaries. By cutting through the heart of the boundaries of St. Peter’s, the interstate brought about the lowering of property values and destroying many of the beautiful homes that were part of St. Peter’s heritage.Although the parish lost many families in the post war era, the Mother Church of Montgomery continued to have a steady influx of active parishioners. Fathers Cusack, McGuiness, O’Connor and Dyer and Monsignor Kevin Duignan continued the rich heritage of providing excellent pastoral leadership to St. Peter’s. The parish is committed to insuring a continued Catholic presence in downtown Montgomery. Though the church of St. Peter’s is a historic building, it is not a museum. Rather, it is a living church that reflects on the past in order to proceed into the future. The parish of St. Peter’s has enjoyed a long and rewarding experience in Montgomery. One must never forget the dedication of the first parishioners and priests of St. Peter’s. Starting as a Missionary church in a Missionary Diocese, St. Peter’s would later become the most important Catholic church in central Alabama, with Missionary priests serving other central Alabama communities.St. Peter’s would also witness the expansion of the Catholic faith in Montgomery as St. Andrews (1910), St. Bede’s (1925), and Our Lady Queen of Mercy (1955) would be direct daughter churches of St. Peter’s. Thus, St. Peter’s has truly been a “rock” to which the Catholic faith was built in Montgomery. The heritage of 156 years of service to our Lord is one which we will continue with pride.Works cited:1) “History of the Diocese of Mobile,” The Catholic Week, special edition for the Sesquicentennial of the Diocese of Mobile, November 23, 1979.2) Flynt, Wayne; Montgomery. (Woodland Hills, California: Windsor Publications, 1980)3) Lipscomb, Oscar H., “The Administration of John Quinlan-Second Bishop of Mobile; 1859-1883″ Records of the American Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia, Mar-Dec. 19674) Smith, Alice V., “Survey of Civil War Legislation” (unpublished) August 15, 19855) “The Church Organ Fund” – brief description of organ for fund raising: St. Peter’s Church, 19896) History of Oakwood Cemetery: St. Peter’s Parish Archives, date unknown