"As a very young Pastor in 1971, I realized quickly the importance of parishioners and priest working together to build up a new cell in the Body of Christ called a parish. It is absolutely essential for a bond of mutual love and affection to exist between the priest and the People of God. With trust in each other, there will be loyalty, and priest and people will pray together, work together, and, and yes, play together. With this atmosphere I loved this parish for the 14 years I was blessed to be here. And I still love Christ Prince of Peace."

From The Founding Pastor,
Father Vincent A Stolzer

Background

"As far back as 1959 it was apparent that the exodus to the far West St. Louis County would continue. At that time, His Eminence, Joseph Cardinal Ritter Archbishop of St. Louis, of happy memory, purchased 10.4 acres of land from the estate of Henry William Wissman along Weidman Road, north of Manchester Road. During the ensuing years, St. Joseph's Parish in Manchester, Missouri, the mother parish, continued to grow rapidly. In 1971 it was obvious that a new parish must be established to serve the spiritual needs of Catholics on the east end of St. Joseph's Parish, and bordering St. Clement's Parish in Des Peres and the Parish of St. Anselm at the Priory in Creve Coeur. Accordingly, in June of 1971 by a cononical decree of His Eminence, John Cardinal Carberry, Archbishop of St. Louis, the new Parish of Christ, Prince of Peace was formally established and the Reverend Vincent A. Stolzer was appointed the founding pastor.
The formal opening of the new parish took place on the weekend of September 11 and 12, 1971 with Masses celebrated in the Auditorium of John F. Kennedy High School, 500 North Woods Mill Road in Manchester. Masses continued to be celebrated there during the time of construction of the Church. Ground was broken for the new Church on Sunday, March 19, 1971 with the Right Reverend Monsignor Joseph M. O'Toole, V.F., Pastor of Mary, Queen of Peace Parish in Glendale and Dean of the Southwest Deanery, officiating. The Church was at last completed in December of 1973 with the first Mass being offered in the Church on Saturday afternoon, December 15, 1973 at 5:00 p.m. And so the parish of Christ, Prince of Peace was born, now serving 500 families who form our parish family...Following the banner of Christ, Prince of Peace may all of us - priests and people - develop into a vibrant cell of the Mystical Body of Jesus Christ bringing His peace to all."

Excerpt From,
Christ, Prince of Peace Parish Dedication booklet, March 17, 1974

In 1996, Christ, Prince of Peace celebrated it's 25th anniversary. The parish celebrated the 20th Jubilee of Father Joe Wormek and Fr. Bob's Corbett's 45th year as a priest. The Princely Players, the parish theatrical group reprised their first production in memory of Father Scheid and the Parish Picnic focused on the theme of "Homecoming." Priests who had been assigned to the parish were invited to return to celebrate Mass on a Sunday of their choice and visit with parishioners at a reception following the Mass. The year of celebration culminated with the 25th Anniversary Mass, a reception in the school cafeteria and a dinner at the St. Louis Marriott - Maryville Center.

1959
His Eminence, Joseph Cardinal Ritter, Archbishop of St. Louis purchased 10.4 acres of land

June 1971
Christ, Prince of Peace Parish established, Reverend Vincent A. Stolzer appointed founding pastor

September 11-12, 1971
Formal opening of Christ, Prince of Peace Parish

September 1971 - December 1973
Masses held at John F. Kennedy High School until Church construction completed

March 19, 1971
Groundbreaking of Christ, Prince of Peace Church

December 15, 1973
First Mass offered in Christ, Prince of Peace Church

1977
Preliminary plans for Christ, Prince of Peace School

September 24, 1978
Groundbreaking for Christ, Prince of Peace School

August 1979
Christ, Prince of Peace School opens

1988
Groundbreaking for school addition

1996
Christ, Prince of Peace Parish celebrates its 25th anniversary

September 15, 1996
25th anniversary Mass with Archbishop Justin Rigali as principal celebrant