Supposedly in a certain cave at the edge of town St. Peter held mass.

A notice indicates a natural cave on the western slope of The mountain of the cross, an eastern extension of Mount Silpius, is regarded as one of the early places where the first Christians of the town met and prayed secretly. A tunnel which once opened to the other side (not indicated of what, probably the back) is tho0ught to have served as an escape route. In the Acts of the Apostles is described how St. Barnabas fetched St. Paul from Tarsus, who then stayed in Antakya for a year, teaching, here for the first time they were called Christians. Later in his letter to the Galatians Paul mentions having met St. Peter in this town.
As for the current situation, the church is thought to have received its appearance after the conquest by crusaders in 1098. Mosaic fragments and traces of wall paintings are thought to be from “the earlier history of the site” (these words make it unclear if earlier than the conquest is meant). Since 1846 Capuchins tended the church. The façade was rebuilt by them in 1863 upon the behest of Pope Pius IX. Napoleon III contributed to the cost. A stone chair on the altar (?) commemorates the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter. A statue dates from 1932. In 1963 Pope Paul VI held a service here and declared that a plenary indulgence might be gained at anytime by a pilgrimage to the church.