The
first Episcopal Church in Adams County, Christ Church in York Springs,
came about as the result of the gathering of a small group of Anglicans
for worship services in 1747. Christ Church was planned in 1829
and consecrated in 1836. By 1870 its membership had dwindled to
almost none and five years later, pastoral care of the tiny congregation
was assigned to Prince of Peace. That church is still regularly
maintained and used in the fall of each year for a commemorative service.
Episcopal services in Gettysburg had meanwhile been conducted
at the Court House beginning in 1867. Soon thereafter the congregation
moved to an abandoned Methodist Church on East Middle Street (which
later became the local Hall of the Grand Army of the Republic).
The Prince of Peace congregation received a permanent
mission priest in 1876 and the work of growing a church continued.
In December of that year, the congregation occupied a new small wooden
church on Stevens Street.
For the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg,
in 1888, the Official Program of the Army of the Potomac and the
Army of Northern Virginia publicized a project for a church "to
be named the National Memorial Church of the Prince of Peace
That Church upon whose loving unity the terrible events of the Civil
War made no mark, is surely the one above all others to embrace the
memorials of both sides in rearing a lasting Temple to the Prince of
Peace."
Some twelve years later, in July of 1900, with 13 families,
33 baptized persons, 22 communicants, and 15 members in Sunday School,
the Memorial Church of the Prince of Peace conducted its first services
of worship.
Improvements, including a complete rewiring, were made
in the mid-1950s.
In January, 1970, two memorable events marked the history
of the Church. For the first time since its founding, the Church
became a self-supporting parish. Later that month a disastrous
fire of unknown origin gutted the Church. However, the Tower Room,
which houses the original memorial stones and tablets, was not touched
by the fire. Also, a memorial stained glass window depicting
Christ with the Children was rescued from the fire, stored for 20 years,
and is now placed in one of the original window openings in the western
wall of the Church.
Reconstruction was completed in the Spring of 1971.
In 1991 Prince of Peace began a soup kitchen. In 1995
this ministry became officially incorporated as The Gettysburg Community
Soup Kitchen, which now serves 10,000 meals Monday-Saturday at Prince
of Peace. In 2000 the Church completed a renovation and expansion of
its facilities. As part of that project, the soup kitchen was enlarged
to accommodate the growing numbers of guests who come to be fed. In
addition, classroom and meeting space, a choir rehearsal room, a small
prayer chapel and peace garden were added.
By 2002, our church had grown to 425 members and our church
received the special designation of "Jubilee Center" from
the national Episcopal Church for our ministries of justice, service
and compassion in our community.
Guided by the Holy Spirit, we continue to celebrate and
share the love of Jesus Christ in our church and community seeking to
grow in grace, service, and numbers as we proclaim the good news of God
in Christ. Come join us on our journey!
