Give Peace Church a Chance!
West Shore Historical Society (WSHS) has taken the lead on efforts to find the best possible preservation outcome for the Historic Peace Church, located in Hampden Township, Cumberland County. The Church is currently owned by the State of Pennsylvania, and operated through the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC.) PHMC wishes to transfer ownership of the Church to a small congregation from Harrisburg.
The Peace Church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has a State Marker and played a pivotal role in the Civil War. It holds a Conrad Doll Organ, built in 1807 – one of few left in the world. On the grounds of the Church stands a White Ash tree estimated to be between 350 and 400 years old. This tree can be considered a Witness Tree like those on the grounds of the Gettysburg Battlefield, as it witnessed Civil War action – with four cannons placed on its lawn by the Confederate Army. It is the northern most point of battle in the Civil War and it can be said that if General Jenkins troops had not been called back to Gettysburg to participate in the famous battle, they would have taken Harrisburg.
WSHS, along with many local historical societies and historians believe that the Church belongs in the hands of the State. However, as PHMC is no longer willing to accept the responsibility of the Church, we have been working to offer a better solution.
The Friends of Peace Church have been the stewards of this historic property since 1975. With the help of a coalition of historical societies, they are interested in working with PHMC to become the new owners of this iconic Church, the oldest church in Cumberland County in its original condition. Supporters include Historic Harrisburg Association, Harrisburg Civil War Roundtable, Camp Curtin Historical Society, Shiremanstown Historical Society, St. Paul’s Church, and local Civil War historians Jim Schmick (owner of Civil War and More in Mechanicsburg) and Kevin Shaw, to name a few.
The transfer of ownership will require an Act of the Legislature. We have reached out to elected officials for their support in asking PHMC to “pause” the potential transfer to the small congregation while we we assist the Friends with new board members and form an Advisory Board to better serve the Church. In addition, Hampden Township and Cumberland County Commissioners have issued resolutions asking PHMC to reconsider the transfer of ownership.
If you would like to sign the petition supporting our efforts here’s the link: https://www.change.org/p/reconsider-transfer-of-ownership-of-historic-peace-church
If you’d like to be more involved you can send a letter to the emails below. Our request is simple: pause the transfer of ownership of Peace Church to the current proposed owner and give the Friends of Peace Church a chance to continue to lovingly care for the Church they have been devoted to for so many years.
Haley Haldeman – Chairperson – PHMC – haldemanphmc@gmail.com
Andrea Lowery – Executive Director – PHMC – anlowery@pa.gov
Representative Sheryl Delozier – sdelozie@pahousegop.com
Representative Thomas Kutz – tkutz@pahousegop.com
Senator Greg Rothman – (Benjamin Slate – Aide) – bslate@pasen.gov
Governor Josh Shapiro – https://www.pa.gov/form/governor/contact.html
Want to do more?
Write a letter to the editor of your local paper!
Follow the Peace Church Preservation Page on Facebook for updates! https://www.facebook.com/groups/3602893366590822