CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. — The historic Peace Church has sat on top of a Hampden Township hill since 1798 and played a pivotal role in the Civil War.
“General Lee called the troops back and had they gotten past here, Gettysburg may not even be on the map," said Don Paul Shearer, president of the West Shore Historical Society.
For more than 50 years, the church, which is also a museum, has been owned by the state and operated through the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission.
Meanwhile, the Friends of Peace Church, the nonprofit that stewards the property, has pleaded for ownership.
“They know it the best, they’ve been in charge of it for 49 years, I don’t see what the problem is," said Janice Lynx, executive director of the West Shore Historical Society.
The West Shore Historical Society is leading a coalition of support for the group.
“We have been contacting PHMC since June when we let them know the Friends were ready and we haven’t received a response to any emails," said Lynx. "We feel this group which has maintained the church for 49 years deserves some kind of response.”
Over the summer, a Harrisburg church was working to become the new owner, but that deal fell through, giving the Friends another chance to step in.
The group is now presenting the state with a letter of intent to acquire the property.
“We prefer taking it back permanently, not as a lease but right now we’re waiting to see what the state decides to do," said Joseph Bower, president of the Friends of Peace Church.
“This is a museum, I don’t know what else you would use it for, added Shearer. "We want to preserve it as it was on June 28, 1863. Just the way it’s been all these years.”
The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners has also signed a resolution, asking the state to transfer ownership to the Friends group.
“Designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1972, Peace Church is an integral part of our heritage,” said Cumberland County Commissioner Kelly Neiderer. “We urge the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission to entrust the Friends of Peace Church with stewardship of this landmark, ensuring it continues to stand proudly in our county for generations to come.”
“We believe with [the Commissioners'] support that we would have success in getting an act of legislature which is required to transfer ownership of the church," said Lynx.
FOX43 reached out to the PHMC, which is collecting lease applications until Tuesday, but has not yet heard back.