The

Prince of Peace Story

In 1960, after several years of studying the growth in north east Des Moines, the Board of Home Missions of the old American Lutheran Church selected this area as the site of a new Home Mission Church.

A Letter of Call was sent to Rev. H. Blockus, and on June 20, 1960 he started on the initial survey of the area.

A temporary meeting place was found in the basement of the Wilson Professional Building and the first service was held on September 11, 1960 with 101 individuals attending the service. The formal organizational meeting was on December 15, 1960, at which time a Constitution was adopted and a church council elected.

In the spring of 1961 the meeting place was changed to the basement area of Park Fair Shopping Center. During this time a plot of land was purchased along East Euclid, at the present site, for a permanent home.

Groundbreaking for the first unit was held on June 4, 1961. The congregation moved into the new church home on October 22, 1961. There were 50 families and 226 baptized members. Soon an expansion was necessary and the second unit was dedicated on November 1, 1964.

During October 1970 plans were started to build the present sanctuary. In September 1972 a three-year building began. Groundbreaking for the current sanctuary was on October 10, 1976, with the cornerstone placed on April 3, 1977, and the dedication October 2, 1977.

The congregation celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1985 with 290 families, 548 confirmed members, and 784 baptized members.

The mortgage debt was retired July 19, 1998 with a joyous burning ceremony.

Our current Pastors Roger and Janelle Osbeck came to us in 1993, the year of the flood. Prince of Peace Lutheran Church will continue the ongoing ministry of the Gospel. May God grant that we continue to grow and be a blessing to all.

 

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