Following a disagreement that unfolded during the mid-1980s at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Honey Creek, 42 baptized church members made the decision to leave the congregation and explore the possibility of establishing a new church in the area.
Through their dedication, this small group founded Peace Lutheran Church and created the only congregation in Cole County affiliated with the small Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
“At first, we really didn’t know what to do,” said Paul Junkans, whose father, Ervin, served many years as pastor for Immanuel Lutheran Church. “Should we go to another church or do we start another church? We visited a church at the lake before finally deciding that we were going to embark upon the process of forming a new church.”
On July 10, 1986, the small group held its first unofficial meeting and, 10 days later, met under an oak tree in the front yard of Tom and Lisa Ittner for their first worship service as a new church body.
“We were fortunate that it was a nice day, and we used The Lutheran Hymnal for songs, and Walter Henry Jr. played music on a small organ with an amplifier,” Junkans said. “The sermon was read from Rev. Graf’s sermon book.”
Several of these Christians, seeking to establish their own permanent place of worship, traveled to Trinity Lutheran Church in New Haven, Missouri, to participate in their worship service. While there, they were advised that a retired pastor of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod might be able to assist them.
The group applied for membership with the Missouri Synod and rented a place at the mall to hold their services under the pastoral guidance of the Rev. Luther Anderson. Meetings continued to discuss incorporating as a congregation with the state of Missouri, a process that was finalized on Oct. 1, 1986.
“I believe it was Wanda Smith who came up with the name ‘peace’ to use for the church name, and that’s how it came to be ‘Peace Lutheran Church,'” said Junkans, who served as the first chairman of the church board.
However, the process of becoming affiliated with the Missouri Synod continued to be defined by challenges.
“I recall it was my own father who said that we should look into affiliating with the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS),” Junkans said. “The ELS president visited with us in February 1987 to discuss the structure of the ELS, doctrine and other such things.”
Junkans continued, “At a voters meeting, we decided to withdraw our application with the LCMS and apply to the ELS, with whom we did eventually become affiliated. Then, we were able to borrow the money to purchase property and build a church.”
Using the services of real estate agent Ben Rogers, the council of Peace Lutheran Church purchased 11 acres two miles north of Brazito for $23,000, which was locally referred to as the Aldo Kroeger property. Plans were drawn up for a 100-person sanctuary and associated spaces.
Construction of the church began in late spring of 1987 while Pastor Anderson continued to serve the congregation. He departed in July of the same year and the ELS president coordinated for an interim pastor to serve Peace Lutheran Church.
“The church dedication took place on Nov. 8 (1987) and the following spring we had our first confirmation class,” Junkans said. “We also began discussing the development of a cemetery on the property.”
Church records indicate the first internment in the cemetery of Peace Lutheran Church occurred in 1994 and was Crystal, the infant daughter of Bobby and Celeste Gilmore.
“An exciting moment in our early church history was the arrival of our first full-time pastor in July 1988, Pastor Micah Ernst, along with his wife, Claudia, and their children,” Junkans said.
Embracing the pleasing circumstance of sustained congregational growth, ground was broken for a new 2,400-square-foot addition in October 2001. The addition became the new worship sanctuary while the former sanctuary provides space for a fellowship hall. Much of the construction was made possible through numerous memorials and donations.
“We had three stained-glass windows installed in the sanctuary and the congregation wanted to ensure they contained Christian symbolism,” Junkans said. “The one to the left of the altar represents baptism and the one on the right is about the Lord’s Supper. The one above the altar represents the word of God as the sword of the Spirit.”
Hanging on the wall inside the entrance to the sanctuary is a painting titled “Means of Grace” that was commissioned by Hannah Ernst, a talented artist and daughter of long-time Peace Lutheran Pastor Micah Ernst.
Ernst served the congregation of Peace Lutheran for 11 years until accepting a call to Ohio in 1999. Several pastors served the small congregation in the ensuing years. In December 2015, Ernst returned and continues to serve the congregation.
As part of his ministry, Ernst also serves Grace Lutheran Church in Columbia as part of a shared pastoral agreement.
The history of Peace Lutheran Church may appear but a fleeting moment when compared to the lengthy legacy of other Lutheran churches in the area, but as Junkans explained, it is through divine grace that their small Lutheran synod was planted and has flourished in the community.
“Our congregation came out of strife as we are simply forgiven sinners, but the Holy Spirit continues to shine the light of Jesus among his people,” he said. “We really like the synod we belong to, but ultimately the church is about seeking souls for Christ’s kingdom and not the building.
“We want to stay true to our God and his Word … and share our hope in a loving way.”
Jeremy Amick is the public affairs officer for the Silver Star Families of America.