In Great Britain, the Festival of Harvest Thanksgiving dates back to medieval days when it was called “Lammas Day,” a day to recognize and thank God for the first fruits of the harvest. Bread was made with the new wheat being offered at Mass and solemnly blessed.  Today, Harvest Home is celebrated as an unofficial religious festival of thanksgiving for the fruits of the earth, and is held on a Sunday in October following the gathering of the harvest.

Since the founders of St. Peter’s Mission were originally from England, the tradition was established in the fall of 1920 under the direction of the Giffard, Philbrook and Evans families. On that first occasion, parishioners brought the choicest fruits and vegetables from their gardens, and homemade breads and preserves from their kitchens to decorate the church for a service of thanksgiving to God. The following night they held a parish supper, and the harvest bounty was either served or sold.

Harvest Home remains one of the most celebrated festivals in the life of our Parish. The beauty of our decorated Church is an outward expression of our inward thanks to our God for all he has given to us in the past year. On a Saturday morning in mid-October, we gather to decorate the Church. We enjoy opening our beautiful Church to friends, family and neighbors. In the evening we gather for a Turkey Dinner in the Undercroft, inviting family and friends for dinner and to Sunday service. Following Sunday Mass, we donate the harvest bounty to Project Feed.