Peter De Siere
Silver Bow County
History of Montana, Sanders, 1913

The Catholic Church, which is in many respects one of 
the most wonderful organizations among men, is in nothing 
more conspicuous and renowned than in its knowledge of 
genuine merit.  One of the striking proofs of this was 
given on June 17, 1911 when Rev. Peter De Siere of Butte 
Montana was elevated to the rank of Monsignor or Domestic 
Prelate.  This action by the church gave the Catholics of 
the Northwest great gratification as they had long known 
Father De Siere's commanding ability.

Father De Siere was born in Flanders, Belgium on April 16, 
1843 and is a son of Peter and Mary Vienne De Siere, natives 
of Belgium and the second of their eight children in order of 
birth.  He obtained his academic education in schools in his 
native land, and was also prepared for the priesthood there, 
completing his course of training in theology in 1867.  He 
was ordained by bishop Faict and after serving as professor 
in Dixmude College for twelve years, served as assistant 
pastor of the church in Roulers and later pastor in 
Westende in his native land until 1887.  In that year 
he came to the U.S. and the state of Montana, locating 
first at Deer Lodge.  For sixteen months he laborer 
arduously and effectively as assistant to Father De 
Ryckere at Deer Lodge and was then appointed assistant 
to Father Van de Van of St. Patrick's church in Butte.  
Three months later he was made pastor at Anaconda and 
in that city he built St. Paul's church and parish house.

Before he left his native land he built at Westende on the 
shore of the North Sea, the first sisters' school in that 
parish.  In 1893 Father De Siere was appointed pastor of 
St. Patrick's church in Butte.  When he took charge he 
found a debt of $48,000 on the school building confronting 
him.  He has since clearing the building of debt, built 
the sisters' Home at a cost of $19,000, enlarged the 
church at an expenditure of $15,000 and erected a priests' 
home at an outlay of $21,000.