History - Part 2
In October of 1961, it was necessary to double Sunday School sessions in order to have adequate space for our large enrollment. We were having one Sunday School session before service and one session after service. It was decision time again. Should we build a separate Sunday School building or a new worship facility. A planning committee was then appointed. After meeting with various architects, the decision was made to build a new worship facility with a full basement. The basement plus the first chapel would be used for Sunday School classes. 
Ground breaking ceremony was held on April 25, 1965 This ground breaking was 9 years, 4 months and 21 days after the ground breaking for the first facility. Dedication of a functional house of worship and education facility was February 13, 1966. Total cost of the entire project including organ, streets, furnishings and parking lot was about $255,000. Membership at this time was 650 communicants and 1,000 baptized souls. On that Sunday morning in February the heaviest snowfall of the current winter season provided a dazzling white setting for the three dedication services held that day. Shivering with both cold and happy anticipation, a goodly crowd gathered in front of the doors before 9 a.m. for the first service, the rite of opening the doors. The 
procession from the old sanctuary of the church was led by the Rev. Leo J. Fenske, pastor of the Church, accompanied by the acolytes, architect and builder.
The morning sun provided a tapestry of many colors as it shone through the cathedral glass windows onto the moss rock chancel wall and on the focal point of interest, the huge cross with its many brass, copper and silver nails. The accoutrements of the altar were put into place quietly and reverently and then the steeply pitched roof and walls rang with the joyful singing by the entire hymn, “Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty”. Inspired and inspiring, the new church was beginning its life of glory to God and witness to the world.
A second service with emphasis on Christian education was held at 10:30 a.m. with the Rev. Eugene W. Jobst, first pastor of Peace and at that time executive director of Lutheran Social Services in Wichita, Kansas was the guest speaker. The officiant was the Rev. Robert Clark, son of the Congregation and Assistant Pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs.
The new sanctuary’s seating facilities were taxed beyond their capacity for the 3 p.m. afternoon service with 658 persons in attendance. Guest preacher was the president of the Colorado District, the Rev. Walter A. Enge of Colorado Springs, who made the trip by train to avoid possible delay in his arrival because of the snowstorm.
Immediately preceding the afternoon service, Michael Riese of Aurora had presented a recital on the new Rodgers organ. The Lutheran High School choir and the Peace senior and youth choirs provided special music at the service.
Open house with refreshments provided by the ladies of the church was held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Visitors could then tour all of the new facilities more fully.
A special feature of the new church is the open inner court, around which is built the main entrance and foyer, the offices of the pastor and secretary, and the youth room. Center 
of interest is the triangular stone fireplace, with one point projecting into the inner court, one into the youth room and one into the narthex area. Dividing the narthex from the worship area is a screen high-lighted with 12 colorful art glass panels of symbolic meaning. In the worship area, one sees a free standing altar table supported by three stone pillars with the inscription of the letters Alpha and Omega. The symbol of “Peace” is cast in the polished onyx stone slab at the front of the pulpit. The baptismal font is built of hand inlaid ceramic pieces in many tones of earth colors.
Seating capacity of the nave is 400 with an overflow area to the left which will seat 150. There is space for 70 in the balcony which is to be used chiefly by the choirs. The original worship area will be used for Sunday school classes and as a fellowship hall. Adjoining this area is a very large and well-equipped kitchen, Sunday school space for 230 children is provided for in the basement of the building. A youth lounge and a sunny, cheerful library provided special opportunities in education. Landscaping of both the inner court and the outside grounds further enhanced the beauty of the entire church property.
James Robinson, Director of Christian Education was installed in 1967. Jim retired due to ill health in 1989. The Rev. Elmer Luessenhop was installed as Pastor of Peace on October 6, 1968 and served until his death on September 10, 1975. Ruth Hencye became the church secretary in 1968.
Pastor Luessenhop asked the people who had created the shadow boxes in the 1 st sanctuary to add a third shadow box. He wanted a picture of the Three Wisemen. It would be displayed along with the other two in the front of the balcony in the 2 nd sanctuary. They were put in the front of the balcony so that when the light came through the stained glass windows, it looked like the sun was just coming up. Helen Hansen purchased two sets of 3 candles to go with them. Art and Ellen Zeller created the idea that shelves on each side of the cross be made.
This was where the poinsettias were placed. Elaine Russell made a bunch of stained glass windows of Christmas designs out of colored tissue paper and which were fastened onto the windows on the south side of the parish hall. This was truly a festive Christmas that year and started a trend that is still copied by our decorations.
We started the “Vicar” program in 1971. The vicar program is a one-year paid internship where training is provided for seminary students to make them aware of the pastoral office and its expectations. Daniel Hauschild ws the first Vicar serving at Peace in 1971. He was followed by John Bucka in 1972 and Dudley Johnson in 1973. In 1973 Peace Lutheran Church helped organize the King of Kings Lutheran Church in north Arvada. Terry Naunmann served as vicar in 1974. In 1976, Michael Hiller served as our vicar and Paul Schwann was a D.C.E. intern. Eleanor Bruns returned as a part-time volunteer secretary for several more years helping Ruth Hencye.
After having served a number of years as an Army Chaplain, Rev. Robert Rippe, was installed as pastor of Peace on April 14, 1976 and served until his death on November 23, 1977. On July 25, 1976, the Rev. Daniel Hauschild, the first vicar of Peace, was installed as the first Associate Pastor of Peace Lutheran Church. On January 19, 1978, after the death of Pastor Rippe, Pastor Hauschild accepted our call to become Senior Pastor of Peace Lutheran Church. Pastor Hauschild became a Navy Chaplain and began active Duty in August, 1986. On July 25, 1978, Rev. Michael Hiller, the fifth vicar at Peace, was installed as the second Associate Pastor of Peace congregation.
Eleven years later the continued growth made it necessary to build a new Educational Building. Ground breaking for the new educational building took place on March 23, 1980. This unit was dedicated on October 28, 1980 at a cost of $370,000.
On January 3, 1982, Rev. Michael Hiller accepted a call from the Colorado District to serve as Missionary-at-large in the East Aurora area. The mission church, Peace with Christ Lutheran, is in its second building phase. Membership of Peace Lutheran Church in the early 80’s was 1661 communicants and 2160 baptized souls. God had richly blessed this congregation.
Peace was a supporting posture toward the mission congregation, Shepherd of the Rockies Lutheran Church, Bailey, Colorado. Peace offered financial support through our Mission Trust Fund and our congregational budget. The Rodgers Organ, which was replaced in 1986, was given to the Shepherd of the Rockies Church.
On August 15, 1982, Rev. Ralph Buchhorn was installed as Assistant Pastor. He served until 1985 when he accepted a call to Redeemer Lutheran Church, Las Vegas, Nevada. Marla Carlson became a part-time secretary helping Ruth Hencye in 1983. Rick Fitch was installed as Director of Youth Ministries in 1985 and left that position in 1988. Pastor Ron Rodeck, a retired Army Chaplain, began his work as an assisting pastor at Peace in September, 1984. He was hired on a contract basis. Pastor Herbert Freiberg, a retired minister, began his work as an assisting pastor at Peace on September 23, 1985. He, too, was hired on a contractual basis and served until his death on November 13, 1991. The new pipe organ was dedicated in September of 1986.
Pastor Mark R. Degner was installed as Senior Pastor of Peace Lutheran on June 28, 1987. Ruth Hencye retired as secretary of the congregation in February 1989 after 21 years of dedicated service. Marla Carlson became the full time secretary after Ruth retired. Kent W. Stephens was installed as Director of Evangelism of Peace Lutheran Church on May 14, 1989, and served until January, 1994, when he accepted a call to Merrill, Wisconsin. Timothy J. Lindeman was installed as Director of Christian Education and Youth on April 8, 1990. In August 1990, Timothy Blau began his vicarage at Peace. Ruth Bremer began her work as Director of Music of Peace Lutheran Church in May, 1991. In August of 1991, Mark Jurkowski began his vicarage. On April 5, 1992, Pastor John Larson began his work as our part-time assisting pastor at Peace. In August of 1992, Bill Lowrey began his vicarage at Peace. On November 29, 1992, Pastor John Larson became the Assistant Pastor of Peace.
In August of 1993, Joe Meyer began his vicarage at Peace. Lisa Lindeman became a part-time employee. Christian Bode began his vicarage, August, 1994. Phillip Johnson was installed as Director of Christian outreach and Gary Meyer was commissioned as Director of Christian Caring Ministry in November, 1994.
In August of 1995, Eric Wenger began his one-year vicarage at Peace. In September 1995 Lisa Lindeman accepted the part-time Assistant Music Director position.
On June 1, 1996, Pastor Mark Degner, resigned his position of Senior Pastor and Gary Meyer resigned his position as Director of Christian Caring Ministry. On August 20, 1996, Vicar Spencer Mielke began his one year vicarage at Peace Lutheran. Pastor John Larson became Associate Pastor on September 10, 1996. Polly Wegner was installed as Director of Child and Family Ministry on September 15, 1996. On March 9, 1997, Pastor David Ahlman was installed as Senior Pastor.
In April 1997, a ground breaking ceremony was held for the remodeling of the narthex and the addition of an administration area. Offices were built for the Senior and Associate pastors, with offices for the Director of Christian Outreach, Director of Youth Ministry and Director of Christian Education. An office for the vicar was also added. A workroom for the staff was also added with a break room. Pastor Larson’s old office became the office for the Director of Music. The move into the new facility was held over Labor Day weekend, September 3, 1997.
August 24, 1997, Jason Haynes began his vicarage with the Peace congregation. Ruth Bremer resigned her position as Director of Music on May 31, 1998. David Gaddini began his vicarage on August 23, 1998. Pam Stumpf became the Director of Music in August 1998 and resigned in February 1999. We began a 5:30 p.m. evening service on September 5, 1998. Nancy Duensing began her work as Director of Music in March, 1999. Peter DeMik started his vicarage on August 22, 1999. The parking lot was expanded and paved during the fall of 1999 and spring of 2000. In December 1999, Jerry Peterson was hired as a part-time Director of Small Group Ministry.
In April 2000, Patti Ninneman was hired as a part-time business manager. During the summer of 2000, the congregation built a large garage at the south end of the parking lot, and that summer the parish hall was renovated to serve as both a multi-purpose room and as a second location for worship. In August, 2000, Derrick Hurst began his vicarage. The first Sunday in September, 2000, we dedicated the parish/hall sanctuary and began a parallel service (traditional style) at 10:30 a.m. This project was undertaken and completed by the members of the congregation.