Our History

Prince of Peace was an LCMS mission congregation planted by Trinity Lutheran Church, Norfolk, Virginia in March 1961. The first pastor was Reverend Elmer Medley.  In April 1962 the congregation was formally received into the Southeastern District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. The first sanctuary (which is now the praise band area) was dedicated in January 1964. Prince of Peace Preschool started in 1970.  A fellowship hall and office space were added in 1974.  As the congregation grew, a larger sanctuary was needed. The larger worship facility was dedicated in 1979. Sunday contemporary worship service was added in 1997. There have been several pastors over the years. Pastor Medley was followed by Rev. John Weinbach, Rev. Dr. Richard Lischer, Rev. Dr. Harold Kitzmann, Reverend Edwin Nicklas, Rev. Douglas Rosenvinge, and Rev. Russell Graef. Pastor Emeritus Douglass Rosenvinge was installed in 2003 and Reverend Russ Graef was installed in 2021. We are also graced by the presence of Pastor Emeritus Mark Nieting, who teaches our confirmation class. Our Church organist, Okasan Lutsyshyn, began playing at Prince of Peace in 1999. Carol Zehnder was the previous Music Director, starting in 1974. Our Preschool Director, Alicia Mangels, started her position in 2013.