A Lutheran Home on Center Road
Prince of Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church stands on Center Road in Poland, Ohio, in the Mahoning Valley. The congregation belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and members describe their faith in a single phrase: Lutherans emphasize the radical grace of God, symbolized by the Cross and God's power of resurrection. Everyone is invited to fully participate in worship, congregational life, and leadership.
Sunday Worship and a Tuesday Bible Study
Worship follows the ELCA liturgical tradition. Sunday School meets before the service, and Sunday Worship begins at 10:00 am. A Prayer of the Day opens each gathering, drawing on the confession that Lutherans cannot rely on their own abilities and must trust in the generosity of Jesus Christ. Christian education extends from small children through adults, and a mid-week Bible study gathers on Tuesdays at 11:00 am, currently working through the Prophet Isaiah.
Quilts, Kits, and Shoe-boxes
The congregation's reach extends well beyond Poland. Members sew hand-crafted quilts throughout the year for Lutheran World Relief, and the youth group organizes the collection of school kits and personal-care kits for the same effort. Prince of Peace also serves as a regional drop-off location for Operation Christmas Child shoe-boxes, one of nearly 5,000 such locations across the nation. POP volunteers pray with community members who bring their packed boxes, fill cartons, and load trucks bound for children in need around the world.
The Youth Group and Choir
The Youth Group and Choir leads several of the church's signature service projects. Coins for a Cause is collected on the last Sunday of each month, with quarterly donations going to the Salvation Army, Project Making Kids Count, and Akron Children's Hospital Boardman. The youth run drive-by food drives and a SouperBowl collection for the Poland Food Pantry on Super Bowl weekend, gather supplies for a local animal shelter during the Pet Service, and deliver Christmas hats and mittens to the Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley.
Community Events and the St. Pauly Shed
Each spring brings an Easter Egg Hunt with candy-filled eggs, games, and prizes. In June the parking lot hosts a Trunk Sale and Market, and the church takes part in the Celebrate Poland festival. October brings a Pet Blessing at the POP Pavilion and later in the month a Trunk or Treat party with decorated trunks, trick-or-treating, food, and bonfires. A clothing shed from St. Pauly Textile, Inc. sits on the property, accepting donations of usable clothing, shoes, blankets, sheets, drapes, and stuffed toys for redistribution both locally and abroad. The congregation joins the wider ELCA each year in the God's Work. Our Hands. day of service.
Local Partners
Prince of Peace shares partnerships with several Mahoning Valley organizations, including Shepherd of the Valley Family and Community Services, the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley, Yellow Brick Place, Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley, and Potential Development. Girl Scout Troop 81158 also meets at the church on the third Wednesday of each month from 6:15 to 8:00 pm.
Visiting, Giving, and Leadership
Sunday visitors are welcome at 2985 Center Road, with worship at 10:00 am. The church office is open from 9:00 am to noon, Monday through Friday, and can be reached at (330) 757-3272 or sec3280@sbcglobal.net. Pastor Audra Franley leads worship and preaching. Online giving is available through the Vanco app, and the church welcomes bequests and planned gifts as part of its legacy ministry.