The history of our congregation

In September of 1978, Rev. Randolph W. Barr was assigned the task of "Mission Developer" for the Maryland Synod. During late 1978
and early 1979, a small but faithful group began worship services on a parking lot in West Ocean City.

On March 24, 1979, a "kick-off" event was conducted in the 15th Street Fire Station to inform the local residents on the background and
proposed ministry of the St. Peter's congregation. Following this introductory event, on April 8, 1979, Palm Sunday, the first formal
worship service was conducted in a room at the Ocean City Convention Center with 143 people in attendance.

On November 4, 1979, a Groundbreaking Ceremony was held for a "St. Peter's Lutheran Church" and on May 18, 1980, the cornerstone
was set. The official organization date for the congregation was February 3, 1980.

On June 1, 1980, Rev. Randolph W. Barr was installed as the first Pastor of St. Peter's. "Randy" as he was
affectionately known attracted many worshippers and, in order to accommodate the ever growing congregation, the church building was
expanded on April 12, 1981, to the south.

On May 27, 1984, ground was broken for a second expansion to provide space for a Social/Meeting Room. This westward expansion was
dedicated on September 2, 1984.
It was after the second expansion that the original pastor, Randy Barr, answered a call from a congregation in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.
A call committee was organized and on March 3, 1987, Ash Wednesday, the Rev. Dr. Harry Wolpert was called to be the Pastor at
St. Peter's.

Since that time the congregation has continued to grow. Three areas of ministry [worship, the Church Sunday School, and community
outreach especially realized much growth. It became evident that there was need to increase the size of the sanctuary and add additional
educational/meeting rooms. On May 25, 1997, ground was broken for the newly expanded St. Peter's Lutheran Church sanctuary.
Work was also done to improve the Sunday school department and kitchen facilities.

By the fall of 1999, the congregation realized there was a need for an additional Pastor, so a call committee was organized.
In January of 2002 a Call was issued to Rev. Dr. James Davis to become Associate Pastor for St. Peter's on April 21, 2002.

As we enter 2004, the Church looks forward to to studying and commencing on the second phase of our 1997 building plans.
Our Church
Sunday School, ministry teams, and outreach groups continue to vie for limited space. In January 2003, a Long Range Planning
Task Force was established to study how St. Peter's congregation can best minister to the ever-changing needs of the Ocean City
community and how that impacts upon our facilities.

St. Peter's has over a very short period of time shown much growth, but what stands out is that God continues to inspire and
empower His people to love and do His ministry.

St. Peter's as it looks today