Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, founded in 1953, has a rich history. In looking at Prince of Peace today, it is difficult to comprehend its rather humble beginning.
The seed for this new congregation was planted in the Spring of 1953 when the Pittsburgh Synod conducted a survey to determine the need for a Lutheran church in the southern part of Allegheny County. After the survey was conducted, the Board of Missions of the United Lutheran Church of America decided that a sufficient Lutheran congregation existed to start a new church. Reverend Thomas L. Guinn was called by the synod to serve as the mission developer and our church began its slow, yet steady process of development.
The first meeting of the organization was held on August 8, 1953 in the old Pleasant Hills Fire Hall on Route 51. Thirty-seven enthusiastic people attended the first meeting. At that time a vote was taken and the attendees gave a strong voice of approval to formally organizing the gathered members into a congregation. A further vote was taken to name this new congregation and Prince of Peace Lutheran Church as the overwhelming choice of all in attendance.
The membership continued to grow and on December 20, 1953, the membership formally petitioned and was accepted as a new congregation in the Pittsburgh Synod of the United Lutheran Church of America. Fifty-four adult members signed the original petition. On that day, the Rev. Guinn, the mission developer, was formally called as the first Pastor of the congregation.
The first order of business, for the fledgling church, was to build a permanent structure for worship. The membership proceeded slowly but in July of 1954, the congregation voted to purchase the “A.W. Robertson” property on Old Clairton Road. This entire area was undeveloped and the members felt this would be a marvelous location for a new church. Three lots were purchased for $12,000 and two additional acres were donated to the church as a gift. The membership did not immediately begin construction of the church but waited for almost three years to begin the formal structure. Nevertheless, on February 24, 1957, the formal ground-breaking was held for the church sanctuary. The building was completed the same year and the church was formally dedicated on December 15, 1957.
The membership grew steadily and many of the new members brought young children. The Sunday School program grew and the church was confronted with a nice, yet difficult problem; where to conduct the Sunday School program. On some Sundays, the teachers were forced to conduct classes in the kitchen. As a result, the church council voted in November of 1961 to construct a new addition which would house the ever growing Christian Education program. On August 4, 1963, the ground breaking service was held and the new addition was formally dedicated on December 15, 1963, the Tenth Anniversary of the congregation.
During the next forty years, the building underwent some minor renovations but has stayed basically the same. Just like all of us, as it has grown old it has developed some cracks and blemishes which show its age, but also like us, these small imperfections have only helped to add to its character and charm.
The first fifty years have seen eight pastors claim Prince of Peace as their home. Each, in their own way, has helped to create the vibrant congregation we know today. The first pastor was the Reverend Thomas Guinn who served the congregation from 1953 to 1958. He was followed by Reverend Eugene W. Newell who was the spiritual leader from 1959 to 1965. Reverend Albert E. Myers followed Pastor Newell and faithfully administered to the needs of his parishioners until 1974. Reverend J. Paul Balas, a member of the congregation prior to his call, was the next pastor who remained with the church until 1978. He was followed by Wayne Freund who left the congregation in 1987. Reverend Bernie Carl was called in 1987 and stayed until 1993 when Reverend William Winzeler took over the pulpit. Pastor Winzeler answered another call in 2002 and our current pastor, Reverend Allyn Itterly joined the Prince of Peace family in July, 2003.
Like all things in life, the names and faces associated with this congregation have changed in the fifty years of its existence. It has gone through, like all organizations, some highs and lows. But throughout this entire time, it has always maintained its steadfast dedication to God and its members. It has truly been blessed with leaders and members who have never wavered from their dedication to this church and the ways of Christ. There is little question when the next history is written when the church is three score and fifteen years, the same fervor and vitality will still be a part of our church and its history.
