About POP

08/21/09

History of Prince of Peace

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church began as a mission outreach in the spring of 1959. It was intended to bring together the Lutherans in the Lakewood area as well as to minister to the service families who were arriving at the fast-growing Army and Air Force bases nearby.

The church now shares the “good news” of God’s love for the world demonstrated in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ with individuals and families who live in communities of the south Puget Sound. Prince of Peace continues to serve those who are stationed at the nearby McChord Air Force Base and at the Fort Lewis Army Post. We believe that all baptized Christians have a ministry in the gospel. It is nurtured in a worshipping community where the Word is preached, the Sacraments are celebrated, and fellowship is experienced.

The church sanctuary was dedicated in July of 1960, with the educational unit added in 1968. Upgrades to the kitchen, sanctuary, and office area have been added as late as 2000. Prince of Peace is a member congregation of the Northwest District of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod.

Pastor John Schmidt has served the people of God at Prince of Peace since 1990. A native of Ohio and a 1969 graduate of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, he previously served in varied ministries in Montana, New York City, and Alaska. His spouse, Connie, is a music teacher at Concordia Lutheran School of Tacoma. The Schmidt’s have two daughters enrolled in college — Jessica (Western Washington Univeristy) and Rebekah (Franklin College/Switzerland).