prince of peace \ Background and history
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 2985 Center Road, Poland, is marking its 50th anniversary.
Celebration: Special worship service at 10 a.m. Sept. 13. Members will gather after that at the Elm Tree Banquet Center, 170 Walton Ave., Struthers. “God’s Work is in Our Hands” is the theme. Committee members are Reenie Frank, Ed Brant, Jan Bramt, Mindy Caspary, Norene Yeropoli, Karen Rochow and Tom Reedy. Barry Swoboda created a photo montage and video. For the celebration, the church received regular and large-print Lutheran hymnal supplements and bought a 12-volume set of The Interpreters Bible.
Charter members: Of the 109 charter members of the church, surviving are Ruth Baun, Florence Rider, Avalyn Lind, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Manna, Mr. and Mrs. Glen Day, Mr. and Mrs. James Pappas, Esther Simcox, Julia Hallquist, Grace Burkert and Sarah Seddon.
Church council: Tom Reedy, president; Ralph Minton, vice president-evangelism; William Pekkanen Jr., treasurer; Pamela Ferguson, secretary; Ray Oyler, Christian education; Reenie Frank, youth; Edward Brant, stewardship; Barry Swoboda, property; and Sue Oyler, worship.
Founding: Prince of Peace was incorporated Sept. 13, 1959, as a member of the American Lutheran Church Synod. Pastor Luther Schliesser and members of Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Youngstown saw the need to establish the Lutheran faith in the Western Reserve and donated $100,000 to the American Lutheran Church with $25,000 to start Prince of Peace as a mission church and $75,000 to be loaned to build the church. The gift was to mark the 100th anniversary of Lutheran Memorial Church. The first service was Aug. 2, 1959, at Poland Union School. The Rev. Robert Trump, an intern at Martin Luther Lutheran, became the first pastor.
1960s: The church council declared the charter membership closed as of September 1960 with 109 charter members and 156 baptized members. Ground was broken July 24, 1960, on the new church, which was dedicated March 12, 1961. The Rev. Mr. Trump was called to another church and Pastor William Mercer was accepted April 19, 1964. A new Sunday school wing was built and dedicated Feb. 9, 1964.
1970s: The church was refurbished and new pews, carpeting, pulpit, lectern were added a and partition at the back of the sanctuary constructed. The project was dedicated June 28, 1970. Pastor Mercer left in 1975 and the Rev. John Steingass accepted the call.
1980s: Pastor Steingass served until 1982 and the Rev. Bob Linsz became pastor. 1984 saw the celebration of the church’s 25th year. The church raised $25,000 and donated $6,000 to Shepherd of the Valley for its advanced ministry campaign. Other funds went to hiring a part-time staff person, resurfacing the parking lot and installing ceiling fans. Beautification of the sanctuary was the goal of the ‘90’s Now Fund that included construction of a new altar area and insulation and dry wall surfaces in the sanctuary and narthex. New free-standing altar, pulpit, carpeting and upholstered movable pews were bought. The Sunday school area was remodeled.
1990s: Pastor Linsz left and Pastor Rusty Wills became pastor in April of 1995. The 1980s and ‘90s saw growth in membership and fellowship with some 300 attending on Sundays. Contemporary music service was popular and the church musical group performed concerts in the community.
2000s: The church established the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Endowment Fund to expand Christ’s ministry. The funds supported Christian stewardship programs of the church. Annual benevolence grew from 5 percent a year to 35 percent in 2007. Education awards were given to high school graduates. The Now Fund became the Growth Fund and some $200,000 has been donated to the fund over 20 years. The fund pays for major property expenses. In 2005, a new kitchen was installed and utility barn built. In September 2008, the church roof was damaged by high winds and repairs were made. In October 2008, Pastor Wills resigned; the church has Pastor Chuck Lundquist, supply pastor, and Pastor Paul Burgeson, interim pastor. A call committee is searching for a new pastor. In November, new members were baptized.