History of Peace Lutheran Church

1956
July 1, 1956

Rev. Eugene Bensch, was called to start up this congregation. Nearly four acres along Dayton-Xenia Road were purchased.

August 5, 1956

The first service was held in the Knollwood Civic Building, which is now the Beavercreek Senior Citizen’s Center.

September 30, 1956

Rev. Eugene Bensch was installed as Peace’s first pastor and sixty-nine charter members were received into the congregation.

1957
March,1957

The first issue of the Tidings, the Church newsletter was published.

April 7, 1957

The groundbreaking service for Peace’s first worship unit and the parsonage was held.

August 4, 1957

Pastor Bensch and his wife, Barbara, move into the parsonage.

October 20, 1957

First worship service held in the new church.

November 3, 1957

The new church dedicated.

1958
May 11, 1958

The church began to hold two worship services. By the end of 1958, Peace became self-supporting and had 171 members.

1960
March 23, 1960

Pastor Bensch accepted a call to become the pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church (Cridersville, Ohio).

July 27, 1960

Rev. Dwight Hedrick installed as Peace’s second pastor.

1961
November, 1961

Groundbreaking service was held for an Educational Unit.

1962
June 17, 1962

The addition was dedicated. When membership surpassed 500 members, the congregation voted in 1965 to study the feasibility of building a new facility.

1968
July 14, 1968

Groundbreaking services were held for the new sanctuary.

1970
October 25, 1970

The new sanctuary was dedicated

1977
August, 1977

Pastor Hedrick and his wife Marilyn moved to Peace Lutheran Church in Gahanna, Ohio

1977- 1978
September 1977 to March 1978

Dr. Max Culver, a pastor and professor at Capital University, served as the interim pastor.

March 19, 1978

Rev Arnold Athey installed as the pastor of Peace Lutheran Church.

1981
1981

The congregation purchased an additional four acres of land adjacent to the church property.

June 7, 1981

Rev. Richard Poock was installed as Associate Pastor.

1984
December, 1984

Pastor Athey moved to Lacrosse, Wisconsin to become the pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.

1986
November 9, 1986

Rev. Thomas Bernlohr was installed as Senior Pastor.

1987
1987

The congregation approved a recommendation from the Long-Range Planning Committee to hire a youth director. Since then Donna Laurence (1988-91), Cate Malone (1992-94), Sue Hedlund (1994-2003), Heather Lewantowicz (1995-97), Kirsten Roberts (1997-2001), Beth Townshend (2001-2007), Bryan Jaster (2007- 2014 ), Carissa Lopez (2014-2015) and Deacon Dan Jacob (2018-2021). Since 1994, Sue Hedlund (1994-2003) and Julie Jones-Wright (2003-16) have coordinated our children’s and youth ministries.

1989
November, 1989

An architect was hired for a new facility.

December 31, 1989

Pastor Poock retired from full-time ministry.

1990
June 17, 1990

Rev. Robert Brown was installed as Associate Pastor.

1993
March 28, 1993

Ground breaking for the addition was held.

1994
1994

The church added a year-round Saturday worship service.

September 11, 1994

The facilities were dedicated and are now being used by many community organizations.

1997
May 4, 1997

Linda Cole was installed as Associate in Ministry (now known as Deacon) for Parish Administration and Pastoral Care.

1999
1999

The church added a third worship service on Sunday morning.

2003
August 2003

Seminarian Tom Batterman began his year of internship and was ordained in April, 2006.

2004
2004

Peace members began a ministry partnership with the members and programs at Christ Lutheran Church, an urban congregation in Old North Dayton.

2006
2006

50th anniversary of Peace commemorated.

2012
March 1, 2012

Rev. Stephen Kimm is called as Senior Pastor.

2013
2013

Peace members began a ministry partnership with the members and programs at North Riverdale Lutheran Church.

2014
July 1, 2014

Seminarian Larry Grunden began his year of internship.

2015
January 5, 2015

Kevin E Pyle hired as Parish Administrator.

February 1, 2015

Rev. P. Douglas (Doug) Campbell begins as Interim Associate Pastor.

March 1, 2015

Pastor Robert Brown’s retirement is effective.

Deacon Linda Cole’s retirement is effective.

November 2015

Linda Hill Lally is hired as Director of Music

November 22, 2015

Rev. Carey Hovland was installed as Associate Pastor.

2018
August 2018

Deacon Dan Jacob hired as youth director

2020
May 2020

Parking Lot vote for Renew Campaign and Renovation during COVID-19 Pandemic

May 17, 2020

Renovation Begins during COVID-19 Pandemic

2021
April 11, 2021

Dedication of Renovation Sanctuary with guest Bishop Dillahunt

August 2021

Deacon Dan Jacob resigned as youth director

2023
May 2023

ReNew Capital Campaign rolled over into a Mortgage with our General Budget