A Brief History of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church

11/27/1974 - The Iowa District East (IDE) of the LCMS purchased land in Coralville (lots 3-7) for $57,550.

4/1975 - IDE purchased additional lots (1-2) for $12,000.

6/22/75 - IDE holds a meeting at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Iowa City to discuss a Coralville mission.

7/09/78 - Rev. Daniel Bohlken is Called by IDE and installed as a Missionary-at-large suring a service at Our Redeemer in Iowa City.

7/15/78 - Rev. Bohlken holds the first mission service at Coralville United Methodist Church. Fifty people attend.

9/1978 - Potential architects for the new church are interviewed by the Building Committee.

1/1979 - Architects Wehner and Associates of Iowa City are recommended to IDE by the Building Committee.

1/30/79 - The IDE Board of Directors approve the architect. 1979 The name “Prince of Peace” is chosen.

7/20/79 - The architect signs a contract. 09/10/79 The architect present a layout and model to the Building Committee. It is approved. (When asked how large to make the Nave, the Pastor responds, "Large enough to play volleyball.")

10/09/79 - The IDE District Mission Board approves the building plan progress.

3/22/80 - The first Voters Meeting of the congregation.

3/25/80 - Groundbreaking for church building.

6/1980 - In convention, IDE accepts Prince of Peace as a new LCMS congregation.

8/1980 - Burger Construction begins work.

10/1980 - Prince of Peace Calls Rev. Boyken to be their Pastor.

1980 - The IDE LWML donates $3,000 to Prince of Peace for furnishings.

12/12/80 - Prince of Peace is incorporated by the state of Iowa.

4/1981 - The first service is held in the new building (a Wednesday Lenten service).

5/03/81 - Rev. Bohlken is Installed as Pastor of Prince of Peace.

6/14/81 - The new building is dedicated. (Volleyball is played in the church in the evenings, attracting college students and young families.)

1982 - The altar is dedicated.

1982 - The carpet is installed.

1982 - Trees are planted.

7/1984 - The congregation's Constitution is amended to include Women’s Suffrage.

11/1984 - Late one foggy evening, while racing, a car runs into the northeast corner of the church while trying to take a short cut. $10,000 damage to the church.

1985 - IDE purchased back from Prince of Peace 7 lots to help with the congregation's debt.

10/1985 - Rev. Bohlken takes a Call to a congregation in Montana.

6/08/86 - Rev. Roger Abatie is installed as Pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.

1986 - A secretary is hired.

1986 - A sound system is installed.

1986 - The Church Council determines that the congregation's biggest challenge is the lack of facilities.

9/1986 - A shed is built “barn-raising style.” Pictures show that corn was being grown on the lots north of the church.

1986 - Painting of the interior.

10/25/87 - A new pulpit is dedicated

10/14/88 - A piano is purchased.

1988 - A Chair Committee is formed to find replacements for the metal folding chairs (150 chairs needed).

3/20/89 - The new Sanctuary chairs arrive.

1989 - A new Chancel cross is installed.

1990 - Rev. Abatie accepted a Call to a congregation in Illinois.

5/23/90 - 1st Call Meeting to find a new pastor.

6/24/90 - 10th Anniversary Celebration of the congregation.

9/08/91 - 13th Call Meeting

1/19/92 - Rev. Richardson is installed as the third pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.

1992 - A Fellowship Hall Building Committee is formed.

1992 - The first Computer and printer were purchased.

1992 - A Mission Statement is developed.

1993 - A Building Expansion Committee is established.

7/09/03 - Groundbreaking for the new Fellowship Hall addition.

1993 - The Great Flood. Rain fills the hole for the new basement, almost undermining the church.

1993 - A Pioneer Youth Group is formed. (Discontinued.)

5/22/94 - The Fellowship Hall is dedicated.

1997 - ESL classes are held at Prince of Peace. (Discontinued)

8/1998 - Rev. Richardson accepts a call to another IDE congregation.

1998 - A hedge and trees are planted along the creek.

11/1998 - Rev. Otto is Called to be the Pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.

1/1/98 - Rev. Otto accepts the Call.

2/1999 - A new office space is created for Pastor Otto. He would like a window.

2/28/99 - Rev. Otto is installed as the fourth pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.

1999 - Pastor Otto visits every member (60 home visits).

5/02/99 - A new organ is installed (from a home in Chicago).

6/1999 - Paraments are received from a congregation in Ames.

9/29/99 - The First Rally Day is held with a picnic and games. The tradition continues.

10/16/99 - The First Annual Reformation Bonfire (58 attended) is held. The tradition continues.

11/01/99 - Marcia McGoldrick is hired as church secretary.

11/1999 - A new form of guest-friendly bulletin is introduced.

12/1999 - The last "Live Nativity" is held during Coralville Luminary Night.

1999 - A portable stage is constructed for the Christmas Pageant.

12/1999 - First Christmas Pageant is held in replacement of the older Christmas Program. The tradition continues.

2000 - Good Friday and Holy Saturday services are held. The tradition continues.

2000 - Bibles are given to all children completing 2nd grade on Confirmation Sunday. The tradition continues.

2/18/00 - The First Annual Game Night (Hosted by Pastor and wife) is held. The tradition continues.

3/2000 - The Communion Rail is installed and dedicated.

5/2000 - 20 additional sanctuary chairs are purchased ($62/each).

2000 - The "Parking Lot Tree" is cut down.

12/24/00 - The Chalice is dedicated and put into use (purchased with memorial funds).

1/2001 - The end of 20 years of District Subsidy (financial support) for the congregation.

2/2001 - First Annual “Everyone Come To Church Sunday”.

3/2001 - A Basement Building Committee is formed to consider plans for using the space under the Fellowship Hall.

2001 - A glass top is added to altar.

7/15/01 - Organist Tom Drury’s last Sunday.

10/21/01 - VISION SUNDAY is held during the worship service.

12/2001 - A new gravel parking lot is added on the north side.

1/13/02 - An altar cross is purchased and dedicated.

1/02 - Rev. Otto begins Doctor of Ministry classes at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis.

1/05/02 - A Basement Clean Up Day is held to prepare for construction.

1/2002 - A Basement Fund Drive kicks off.

4/28/02 - The Voters voted to go ahead and develop the basement into new classroom space.

4/2002 - The Pulpit is raised up one foot (to improve visibility from back of the church).

4/2002 - The Chancel is painted white.

6/2002 - A second Sunday service, at 8:00, is tested in June and July.

7/04/02 - The Fellowship Committee hosts a picnic after the Coralville 4th of July parade. The tradition continues.

2002 - The Chancel Tower Windows are replaced.

7/2002 - The Youth Group takes a trip to Duluth, MN. Pastor Otto and Mary lead the group.

9/15/02 - Organist David Kroll and wife Renee join the congregation.

9/2002 - The construction on the basement begins (Wagehoft Construction).

11/24/02 - VISION SUNDAY II is held in the afternoon.

1/19/03 - The Basement Dedication Celebration (District President Arp cut the ribbon).

1/2003 - The Sanctuary ceiling and back wall are painted white.

2/02/03 - The 8:00 Sunday service is added.

2003 - The Sanctuary is remodeled. The two front classrooms are removed.

2003 - The airlock is built onto the north door.

2003 - The new awning is installed over the north doorway.

7/2003 - Rev. Otto introduces LCEF's Strategic Ministry Planning (SMP) idea at a Voters Meeting.

11/2003 - A new sound system is installed (McKiness memorial).

1/27/04 - Thursday 7:00PM LCEF SMP presentation.

2/08/04 - Sunday 9:10 LCEF SMP Open Discussion Session.

2/22/04 - Special Sunday LCEF SMP Voters Meeting. LCEF SMP option declined.

6/2004 - SMP Decision Process chosen as Rev. Otto’s Doctoral research project.

6/2004 - The Youth Group goes to Boston.

7/2004 - The Congregation raised funds to supply an LCMS Marine Chaplain with needed Catechisms for the soldiers in basic training.

9/01/04 - The outside cross is installed on south face of the building (Vogt memorial).

11/2004 - Organist David Kroll begins playing at the 8:00 service (Advent 1) in place of recorded music.

1/2005 - Doctoral Major Applied Project Research Interviews begun by Pastor Otto (90 members to be interviewed).

2005 - The congregation hires a janitorial services to replace volunteer cleaners.

2005 - The congregation re-purchases the north lots from IDE.

4/2005 - The entire parking lot is paved.

7/03/05 - The congregation celebrates its 25th Anniversary. Rev. Roger Abatie returns as the guest preacher.

7/04/05 - The Prince of Peace Christian Preschool enters a float in the Coralville parade.

9/2005 - The Preschool opens. Andrea Martz, Director.

11/2005 The congregation raises funds for the Preschool through an Advent Offering.

3/2006 - A second cross is installed on outside of the church (north facing).

9/2006 - The Preschool begins its second year at full capacity. Mrs. Martz, Director.

12/03/06 - The hymnal The Lutheran Service Book is dedicated and put into use.

2/01/07 - The Prince of Peace Christian Preschool starts a new Tuesday-Thursday class.

6/2007 - Five years later, Pastor Otto takes the last classes for his doctorate.

6/2007 - The Great Church Basement Flood of 2007.

7/2007 - Organist David Kroll takes a new position in Georgia.

9/2007 - HanMi becomes the Organist.

9/2007 - The Preschool enters its third year. 

12/2007 - Winter storms cause the cancellation of the practices for the Christmas Pageant. Unrehersed, the Pageant goes ahead and is a big success.

6/2008 - Floods devastate parts of Coralville and Iowa City, but the church building is not harmed. Many members donate time in sandbagging and helping with the recovery. The Childrens' Center for Therapy of Iowa City is flooded out of their S. Gilbert building and sets up shop in the church's Fellowship Hall and basment for the balance of the summer.

7/2008 - Jennifer Bounds becomes the new Director of the Prince of Peace Christian Preschool.

9/2007