History

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church

1325 Mission Road, Latrobe, PA 15650 Phone: 724-537-7273 Fax: 724-537-6039 Email: office@princeofpeacelatrobe.com

Living, Learning, Growing the Word of God

History of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church

            The history of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church is a history of God's great faithfulness to the people, and a witness of the Lord's power through the people of the church by the use of their time, talents and resources to the rest of the community. In forty-eight years, Prince of Peace has grown from a stirring in the hearts of the faithful, to an active ministry of education, service, and mission. Early in 1962, 247 baptized members (172 confirmed members and 75 baptized child members) of St . James Lutheran Church in Youngstown Pennsylvania expressed an interest in establishing a mission church in the Lawson Heights area of Latrobe, Pennsylvania. A steering committee, through the assistance of the Board of American Missions, presented a petition to the Western Pennsylvania/West Virginia Synod of the Lutheran Church in America in order to begin this process.

            This request was approved, and Seminarian James Gahagen was called to begin work during the summer of 1962. The first worship service under his direction was held on June 3, 1962 at the Latrobe Roller Garden. One hundred and fifty-seven people attended. The Sunday school was begun the next Sunday, with 72 students in attendance. By October 28, 1962, that number jumped to 103 students registered.

            On August 12 of that year, chancel furniture designed and constructed by Andrew M. Kells was dedicated. The furnishings included an altar, pulpit, lectern and two Sedalia (pulpit chairs).

A Mission Developer was called by the Board of American Missions of the Lutheran Church in America in September of 1962. The Reverend Paul E. Fauth arrived to serve in this capacity, and in November, was called as the first pastor of the congregation.

            Prince of Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church was formally organized during a meeting held at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church on November 25, 1962. The number of charter members on record that day was 168. On December 9, a constitution and by-laws were adopted, a church council was elected and a proposed budget for 1963 ($13,687.00) was adopted by the 170 voting members present. At that time, the Mission Board was paying all or most of the pastor's salary.

            In February 1963, the congregation voted to purchase a four acre plot of land to be used for a church site. The land was located between Mission Road and Beech Drive in the Lawson Heights section of Latrobe. The cost of the land was $20,000.00.

            The congregation was officially received into the Western Pennsylvania/West Virginia Synod of the Lutheran Church in America on June 3, 1963 at the Synod convention held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

            In August 1963, a lot (90' x 135') was purchased for $2,600.00. This lot was located on Beech Drive and was intended to be the site of a permanent parsonage. Ground was broken in November. The final cost of the parsonage was $30,000.00.

            After two years of worshipping in the Roller Garden, it was time to build a permanent building on the Lawson Heights property. A ground-breaking service was held on June 7, 1964. The first service held in the new building was on November 29, 1964. At this service, the date-stone was laid. The building was dedicated on January 24, 1965 at a cost of $85,000.00. A playground was established on the church grounds behind this educational building in 1971.

            During the mid- to late 1960's Jane Braun began a nursery school. The school grew and eventually began to meet and rent space in the educational center at Prince of Peace. The Prince of Peace Nursery School is still in full-force. Presently owned by Sue McCommons and Tina Schmitt, Prince of Peace Nursery School employs 7 assistants along with Miss. Sue and Miss. Tina, and in the school year 2008/2009 will have an enrollment of 72 children.

            Pastor Fauth resigned his call at Prince of Peace on February 1, 1966. On July 10 of that year, the Reverend John P. Harmon was installed as our second pastor. Prince of Peace became a self-sustaining church on January 1, 1967.

            The Tenth Anniversary of Prince of Peace was celebrated on November 19, 1972. The event included a covered-dish dinner. At that time, the baptized membership stood at 411 with confirmed membership numbering 285.

            Pastor Harman resigned as Pastor on October 23, 1974. The Reverend David Ernst was installed as the third pastor of Prince of Peace on June 1, 1975. At this time, the pastor's study was moved into the educational unit. This area had previously housed the nursery, and new shelving was added in order to convert it into an office.

            The congregation became debt-free of the educational unit in February 1976 - only fourteen years into the building program!

            Our Fifteenth Anniversary was celebrated on November 20, 1977. There were 435 baptized members and 339 confirmed members on the rolls.

            In January 1973, a building committee was appointed to consider the construction of a new worship center. The building campaign began on January 16, 1978 with a congregational dinner held at Trinity Lutheran Church, Latrobe. The campaign was titled "A Time to Build". The campaign, organized by the Lutheran Laymen's Movement of the Lutheran Church in America, saw $100,000.00 pledged for the first three years of the program. The Service of the Groundbreaking was held on May 7, 1978.

            By January 14, 1979, the worship center was built and the first service was held. At this service, the new edition of The Lutheran Book of Worship was used for the first time at Prince of Peace. The total cost of the worship center was $242,486.68. The building was dedicated on January 28, 1979. Paul Kurtz, member of Prince of Peace, served as contractor.

            Pastor Ernst resigned his call on July 3, 1979. The Reverend William E. Ordelt, Jr. was installed on February 10, 1980 as our fourth pastor.

Click HERE to continue reading