About Us
It is with great joy and gratitude to our God that Peace Lutheran Church in Rosendale celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2009. What began as a small German Lutheran Church has grown into a vital and diverse ministry serving the needs of the Rosendale community as well as supporting missions throughout the world. Peace Lutheran was officially organized on December 14, 1884 by Pastor Joseph Westenberger from Ripon, when a constitution was adopted and signed by 11 charter members.
Today, our congregation has approximately 200 baptized members, and it continues to grow. Peace has been served by 16 faithful Pastors over the years, as well as briefly by a Parish Staff Associate and by several Interim Pastors. As with many congregations, we have gone through many ups and downs over the years, but though the grace of God and the gift of the Holy Spirit we have been blessed beyond measure. Peace Lutheran has a history of resiliency. When the parsonage was destroyed by a fire in 1935, it was quickly rebuilt. When a new church building was needed, $120,000 was raised in pledges in one day in April 1976 to build a new church. The new sanctuary was dedicated in May 1977. Recently when our basement was flooded due to sump pump failure, dozens of volunteers came out at minutes notice to “pitch in” and clean up the building. Whenever there has been a need, the people of God at Peace Lutheran have come through time and again.
In addition to meeting local needs, our congregation supports the wider world community as well. We support our East Central Synod, as well as ministries such as Crossways Camps, World Hunger, Lutheran World Relief and Youth for Christ. We thank God that He has given us the opportunities to reach out with His love in many different ways. God has always been faithful, and we hope and pray that all we do in His name will glorify Him!
Feel Christ's Presence at Peace