St. Peter’s Seminary was founded as a high school seminary on August 6, 1962.

This was
the date when Fr. Peter Calvin,MHM, was appointed as first rector. He was given the task of
preparing for its possible opening in June 1963. Although the land for its site had already been
donated even before the establishment of the Prelature, there was no building when it opened in
the school year 1963-1964. The blueprint of the building was just approved on April 8, 1963.
The cornerstone was laid only on June 29, 1963, the feast day of Sts. Peter and Paul. It was not
possible to construct such a big building within the span of two months. The more important
concern of the Prelature was to gather boys who would formed for the priesthood rather than to
construct a building for them. The initial plan was to house the boys in St. Anthony’s College
when school opened in June 1963. Indeed the pioneering 20 seminarians and two priest-faculty
members were housed temporarily on the ground floor of San Jose convent until they transferred
to the new building in San Pedro, San Jose, Antique in October 1963. This was blessed by His
Eminence, the late Rufino Cardinal Santos.
The present two-storey Administration building was inaugurated on December 9, 1965.
The imposing boat-like chapel was consecrated and blessed on March 19, 1969, by then Msgr.
Jaime Sin.
It was only in 1967 that St. Peter’s Seminary reached a level of stability. The permit to
operate the high school was fully approved and the first graduates of the high school received
their diplomas that year. The first priest-professors who started the seminary stayed on in the
same ministry for some time.
In 1976, the Bishop expressed dissatisfaction over the performance of the high school
department of St. Peter’s Seminary. There was a small number of graduates proceeding to the
college department compared to the big amount of expenses incurred in its operation. The Senate
created an ad hoc committee to study the matter. Based on the result of the study, the Senate
decided to phase out the high school department starting the school year 1975-1976. The last of
the high school seminarians graduated in 1979. St. Peter’s Seminary then opted to concentrate on
the formation of seminarians in the college level.
In the year 2016, the seminary embraced once again the High school department (Senior
High School) and adopted the governments’ new educational curriculum, the K-12. The
pioneering seven seminarians entered as grade 11 in the formation year 2016-2017.
In 2018, the seminary underwent a major renovation, which paved the way for the
construction of a new building with three classrooms, and a covered court. These developments
were to anticipate the growing needs and number of seminarians. In the formation year 2021-
20222, the seminary housed a total of six classes: Grade 11, Grade 12, first year, second year,
third year and fourth year.
Last year, March 26, a ground breaking ceremony was done to officially start the
construction of a two-storey building that will house senior high school seminarians in the near
future. This is in anticipation of the separation of the senior high school from the college.
Currently, there are 15 rectors before the current rector, Rev. Fr. Sergio C. Maniba:
 - Rev. Fr. Peter Calvin, MHM
- Rev. Fr. Bernard Holthinrichs, MHM
- Rev. Fr. Joseph Erardi, MHM
- Rev. Fr. Henry Van Den Eeden, MHM
- Rev. Fr. Albert Driever, MHM
- Rev. Fr. James O’Donoghue, MHM
- Rev. Fr. Fortunato M. Abiera
- Rev. Fr. Jose Romeo O. Lazo, now, Archbishop of Jaro
- Rev. Fr. Eulogio Estaris
- Rev. Fr. Jose S. Bantolo, now, bishop of Masbate
- Rev. Fr. Jose Glicerio C. Geremia
- Rev. Fr. Victor S. Baguna
- Rev. Fr. Servillano E. Carro
- Rev. Fr. Rogelio A. Pon-an
- Rev. Fr. Segundino R. Laude.
16 rectors in total.
Since 1962, St. Peter’s Seminary remains strong amidst the challenges posted by the sign
of the times. She is indeed the barque of St. Peter that will continue to form young men of
Antique to become agents of renewal in the Church and in the society!
Sail further and beyond, St. Peter’s Seminary.

References:
- Ysulat, C. (2003) . That They May Have Life. Diocese of San Jose de Antique and St.
Anthony’s Collge. pg. 23-24
- Jubilee Souvenir Book. 2013
.