Ballymodan was the main parish south of the river Bandon.  North of the river the parish was Kilbrogan.  The parishes were united in 1957.  Christ Church, Kilbrogan was deconsecrated in 1973 and the parish was united with Ballymodan.  Christ Church now operates as the West Cork Heritage Centre.

The first church built on the present site was in 1614 with the help of Richard Boyle, the Great Earl of Cork.  The town walls enclosed the church and the church was improved several times until 1846.  It was on 9th March, 1847 that the foundation stone of St Peters was laid.

St Peter's was consecrated on Thursday, 30th August, 1849.  The architect was Joseph Welland.  The church contained three galleries and the west gallery contained the original organ.  The north gallery was removed in 1974 to make way for the organ.

The bell tower contains the ring of six bells in a wooden frame.  They were dedicated in 1885 by Bishop Gregg.

The clock was placed in the tower in memory of the late Lt Colonel the Honourable William Smyth Bernard, late of The Farm and MP for the Borough of Bandon Bridge.  He died on 6th February 1863.

This information was taken from An Illustrated Guide to St Peter's compiled by Pat Canniffee and Padraig Hamilton as part of the celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the church.