In the early years Mass was often said in the David Jack home where Mrs. Jack served the college students coffee and rolls after Mass.

During the 1930's Monsignor L. L. Mandeville was pastor of St. Joseph in Auburn and also served the Peru people. He realized the great need for a church in Peru and initiatied the effort to provide one.

The securing of a site for a church in Peru came about through a rather interesting coincidence related by Msgr. Mandeville as follows:

"It was the last day on my novena to St. Anthony to help us find a building location in Peru not too expensive for our limited means. I drove to Peru and picked up Dean Delzell at the college who had kindly offered to cover the town with me and point out serveal properties which he knew were for sale.
We narrowed the choices down to two. I went to see my good friends, Mr. and Mrs. David Jack to get their approval and muster the courage for a business deal. As I started to leave, the door bell rang and in walked their son, Dr. William Jack who had flown from Baltimore, Maryland to visit his parents. Hearing of my project he said, 'Let me first show you our old home on Indian Hill, which I own, and if you can use it, I will be glad to give you the deed. I have always wanted to arrange some memorial for my mother.' And so the site for St. Clara was chosen and financed."

Bishop Louis B. Kucera sent Msgr. Mandeville to Chicago to ask for a $1,000 donation from the Catholic Church Extension Society for the building. Msgr. Mandeville had a personal interview with its president, Bishop William O'Brian. "We received twice that asked for, $2,000."

St. Clara was built the summer of 1933 by Joseph Palmer of Auburn. The total cost was $2,817.24. Today it is filled every Sunday.

St. Clara's Church is perhaps the most unpretentious of all Catholic Churches. Here, in its simplicity and humbleness, one knows that the people come here to show their love and honor to God and to share with Him their joys and sorrows. A beautiful Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary holding the Christ child was given by Dr. William Jack in memory of his mother, Catherine Jack. The statue of the Sacred Heart was given by the Tynon family. Miss Rose Tynon also left an 80 acre farm for the care of the church.