St. Peter’s Episcopal Church social set for Father’s Day

A free ice cream social and dance party are planned at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in downtown Carson City on Father’s Day.

Although admission is free at Sunday’s event at the historic church building, at Division and Telegraph streets, organizers say parenthetically in their flier inviting all comers that “ice cream toppings are always welcome.” The family-friendly event is set for 1-3 p.m.

Music and line dancing, including lessons, are planned along with a performance by Yaple’s Dance Studio. Adam Hopkins, Yaple’s instructor, will handle the dance and music.

St. Peter’s carpenter Gothic revival-style church building, which reminds some of churches in small New England towns, has been at the location for 145 years.

The congregation was formed in 1863 with James W. Nye, Nevada’s territorial governor and later a U.S. senator, on the vestry governing board.

The church site was selected in 1865. Building construction began in 1867, costing $5,500, and the first sermon was preached in it in August 1868.

Interior pews are arranged in three groups of rows, making St. Peter’s the only Episcopal Church west of the Mississippi River without a center aisle to the altar.