Peace Lutheran Church
An Inspiration for Today. A Foundation for Tomorrow.
Our Locations
Peace Lutheran Church is one ministry
serving out of two places.
PeaceEast
805 West Olrich
Rogers, AR 72756
PeaceWest
5891 Bellview Road
Rogers, AR
72756
Ph:
479-636-2140
Fax: 479-636-3603
Our Services
Saturday, 5 pm:
Traditional Worship
at PeaceEast
Sunday, 8:30 am:
Festival Worship
at PeaceEast
Sunday, 10:45 am:
Contemporary Worship at PeaceWest
Church History
1965
Mrs. Lillian Tomlison, who
had long desired a Lutheran Church in America congregation in Rogers,
AR, placed an advertisement in the Rogers Daily News asking like-minded
residents to contact her. Later that fall, with 25 in attendance, a
worship service was held in her home. Pastor Sherman Frederick drove
from Ft. Smith once a month thereafter to hold services. The Lord
blessed this fledgling congregation. As membership increased worship was
held in other homes, then the high school, the National Guard Armory,
and the Holiday Inn. Pastor Stanley Rogge served the new church as well
as a new church in Fayetteville.
1966
With a need for more space and a regular meeting place, the
Board of American Missions acquired a small vacant concrete block church
building (former Christmas Methodist Church) on 3.5 acres 805 W. Olrich
Street in Rogers.
1967
The first worship service was held at the Olrich location
in May.
1969
The congregation had grown to the point they were ready to
build a sanctuary and with the help of the Board of American Missions
ground was broken in March and the first service in the new building was
in October.
1970
On August 23, Peace Lutheran Church was organized with 60
charter members. Pastor Carl H. Berhenke was called as its first
fulltime pastor.
1974
Pastor Richard A. Solberg was called as the new pastor.
1978
The need for a third worship service in June, made it clear
that additional space was needed by the congregation for worship. Plans
began to make that possible.
1981
New sanctuary and office space dedicated.
1987
A 26-rank pipe organ was donated by the estate of Ann
Webber and dedicated. A new outreach ministry of Stephen Ministry was
initiated.
1988
The fellowship hall was enlarged and additional office,
classroom, and music room space was added. The AR/OK Synod had its first
gathering in the new space in June.
1989
Men of Peace was organized and began weekly gatherings for
breakfast and Bible study. At the request of congregation members,
Services of Healing were initiated.
1990
Peace celebrated its 20th anniversary. 1990 was declared
the “Year of the Bible” and Bibles were installed in the pews.
1991
A new constitution was adopted. Peace youth group attended
the National Youth Gathering in Dallas, TX.
1992
A new staff position for “Lay Ministry” was established.
Two congregation members began the process for ordination. The Saturday
5:00 p.m. service was initiated.
1993
Joint Vacation Bible School was held with five other Rogers
churches. Peace Youth attended the National Youth Gathering in Atlanta,
GA.
1994
Peace Child Care Center opened.
1995
Peace celebrated its 25th Anniversary. Pastor Solberg
resigned to accept another call. Pastor “Bud” Buchheim was called to
serve as interim pastor.
1996
“Disciple” Bible study series initiated.
1997
Pastor Erik Boye called to Peace. A significant donation to
Christ the King congregation in Bentonville was made from the Ann Webber
memorial for mission churches. Peace Youth attended the National Youth
Gathering in New Orleans, LA.
1998
Peace Music School opened with lessons offered in organ,
guitar, piano, voice and violin.
1999
A new staff position of “Youth and Family Minister” filled.
2000
Jane Mar called as Assistant to Sr. Pastor. Peace joined
with AR/OK Synod in Via de Cristo ministry. Peace Youth attended the
National Youth gathering in St. Louis, MO.
2001
Due to space constraints in our Olrich facility, a series
of congregational meetings were held. As the result of these meetings,
the congregation voted to purchase 18 acres on Perry Rd. in Rogers.
Contemporary worship services were initiated. The Food Pantry ministry
was expanded making assistance with groceries available to more
families. Peace Cafe was initiated offering a mid-week meal to all Peace
families.
2002
Jane Mar called as Associate Pastor. Peace Counseling
services opened. Stephen Ministers began shut-in ministry, offering
communion to members unable to attend worship services. “Experiencing
God” Bible study class introduced. “Crossways” Bible study initiated.
2003
A Master Site Team was formed to begin planning for a
facility to be built on land purchased in 2001. “Following the Promise”
was established as a campaign to fund that building program. An
endowment fund was established to offer another giving option for Peace
members. Peace Youth attended the National Youth Gathering in Atlanta,
GA.
2004
Associate Pastor Jan Mar resigned to accept another call. A
part-time Visitation Pastor was hired.
2005
The original land purchased for expansion at Perry Rd. was
sold and a 20-acre parcel at 5891 Bellview Rd. was purchased for
construction of Family and Youth Ministry facility. The first “Alpha
Course” was offered. Building on the Promise campaign implemented to
fund the new Youth and Family facility.
2006
Established the staff positions of part-time Children’s
Minister and full-time Youth and Family Minister. Ground was broken for
the Bellview facility. Peace Youth attended National Youth Gathering in
San Antonio, TX.
2007
The first worship service was held on the Bellview campus
in February. Evangelism mission, the “Passionate Church” and Life Shapes
was implemented.