St. Cloud Private School Preschool & K-8 | Prince Of Peace Lutheran Schools

Prince of Peace Lutheran School's Historical Account

IN THE BEGINNING...

"The history of Prince of Peace Lutheran School actually grew out of over 115 years of Trinity Lutheran School in Sauk Rapids."

TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL'S HISTORY

Trinity Lutheran School dates back to September of 1888. It was at that time the devoted members of Trinity Lutheran Church realized the importance of providing Christian training of their children.
On May 20, 1890 Trinity Lutheran Church called their first teacher who would teach the first class of 18 students.
In 1908, the school expanded and enrollment continued to rise steadily until by 1918 when the number of students had increased to 125 strong.
On January 14, 1924, a resolution to build was passed, and a new Trinity Lutheran School was dedicated on October 12 of the same year.
As curriculum changed and family needs grew a large addition, including a gymnasium and kitchen, were added in 1972. This new space also allowed for the addition of Trinity's first library.
In 1982 preschool programs were approved. There were sixteen students in Trinity's first preschool class.
Between the mid 80's and today many physical improvements were made to the school. Remodeling the original coal bin into a band room and then into the most recent principal's office. Placement of the new sign out front of the school and a new gym scoreboard. Two additional classrooms were added to the church basement in 1987 and in 1995 a computer lab was established on the second floor.

A CHANGE WAS NEEDED

Trinity Lutheran Church in Sauk Rapids was at a crossroads. The church and the school were in bad need of updating and or rebuilding.
After much discussion and planning the decision to build a new church for Trinity at a new location was made.
During one of those many planning and sharing meetings regarding designs for a new and improved campus for Trinity Church and what to do with Trinity Lutheran School, Bruce MacKenzie had an idea. He mentioned to Karla Benoit, School Board Chair, that there would never be a better window of opportunity to transform the School into a community-wide school involving several congregations.

Karla smiled. She said, "That's a great idea, Bruce, and I know just the guy to chair that effort."

So began the adventure. It was late spring of 1998.

THE CHALLENGE BEGINS

Trinity Lutheran School, with nearly 115 years of history, had been an excellent school ministry serving up to five generations of families with quality Christian education. The challenge was to continue providing quality education in the modern era, providing technology, quality extra curricular offerings, language and the like.

Bruce took the challenge of this vision to heart. At many board meetings he was often heard saying "God gave us this vision and we are the people on earth that will fulfill this vision - this 'God inspired vision'".

THE VISION INCLUDED...

• K-8 grade school
• High School
• Family Life Ministry
• Senior Citizen Outreach
• Senior Assisted Living

The vision is of an entire community that would service the entire family from young to old.

The first test came in October 1998...

Area Missouri Synod Lutheran congregations were invited to a meeting to discuss the possibility of creating an association to own and operate a new Lutheran School. Nine congregations were represented, and after reviewing the benefits and advantages of Christian education, and the potential benefits and challenges of forming an association, five of the congregation representatives indicated enough interest to take another step.
In early 1999, each congregation sent a team of 'interested individuals' to meet with a Trinity School team that had prepared a packet of information to inform their congregations of the benefits of Christian education, why an association and an invitation to study the project.
Five congregations, including Trinity, then formally voted to create and participate in the Lutheran School Association Initiative (LSAI) Task Force. Something official was underway!
Seen as an extension of their building efforts, Trinity Church funded a consultant to help work with this effort and organize the steps necessary to conduct a proper feasibility study to determine if the vision could actually become a reality.

The Task Force was formed...

In 1999 an official Task Force was formed. It was abundantly clear that without the clear hand of Almighty God, and moving forward within His will, that this effort would go no where. No where was this more clear than the group of incredible people assembled on the Task Force. Clearly God had called each member within his or her respective congregations. The balance of skills, abilities, talents and overall enthusiasm for the vision of providing high-quality Christian education to children and their families was what was needed to accomplish such an enormous task. Chairing this Task Force meant seeing people get things done, supporting one another, and having fun along the way.
After the Task Force was formed, Michael Fuchs of Capital Fund Developers was contracted. Mike helped the LSAI (Lutheran School Association Initiative) develop steps towards survey work, marketing, planning steps and the like. Together, progress was made toward answering the all-important question: "is an association school feasible?"
As 1999 melted into a blurry 2000, due to a massive survey effort, negotiations on an option to land in western St. Cloud, finalizing the basics of governance of the association, the basic philosophy of curriculum to be offered and a host of other monumental decisions and steps, the Task Force prepared to make their recommendation.
The February 2000 Task Force meeting began in fervent prayer. This was it. Over two years of activity and intense work was culminating in this evening. The Task Force reviewed all the materials prepared which answered the multitude of questions to be asked by the congregations. Where they ready? Was this feasible? The answer was clear and the time was right. The Task Force voted to recommend that the congregations join in forming a Lutheran School Association.
A Steering Committee conducted an informational campaign in each respective congregation to explain the results of the survey and explain the Task Force's recommendation.

IT WAS OFFICIAL

On May 21, 2000 six congregations including; Faith, Holy Cross, Love of Christ, Redeemer, Shepherd of the Pines, and Trinity, voted to form the Association.
In August of 2000 the Central Minnesota Lutheran School Association was incorporated.
5 acres of land on County Road 120 was gifted from the LCMS MN. North District office, with the option to purchase additional land.
Through the involvement of many people, including students, congregational members and parents, suggestions were made as to a design of the new complex.
On November 7, 2000 the students of Trinity Lutheran School voted on the new name of their school - with overwhelming results the vote came in for PRINCE OF PEACE Lutheran School.
In 2000 Dan Bates became School Board Chair so Bruce could concentrate his efforts on the Capital Campaign for the new school.
In April of 2002 Prince of Peace called its first Administrator, Gene Sommerfeld.
In April of 2002 Bruce discovered he had cancer.
In September 2002 three Preschool's opened at three of the association congregations. They were Holy Cross, Redeemer and Trinity.
On April 4, 2003 Bruce died from cancer at the age of 40 years old.
In September 2003 K-8 official opened the school year operating as Prince of Peace Lutheran School with the first graduating class to be given their diplomas in May of 2004.
November 7, 2004 a groundbreaking ceremony finally occurred and all association pastors conducted a service at Love of Christ.
Construction began.
On September 1, 2005 the doors at the new school - Prince of Peace Lutheran School opened for school to the glory of God!

In the summer of 2003, Prince of Peace began the Bruce A. MacKenzie Memorial fund in honor of Bruce's life and his commitment to Lutheran Education.

Prince of Peace Lutheran School
4770 County Road 120, St. Cloud, MN 56303
Phone: 320-251-1477 | Fax: 320-251-8996
Email: Office@PrinceOfPeaceLS.org