When the present town of West Bend was established with the coming of the railroad in 1881, a number of Lutherans had settled in the area. A group of Lutherans living east of town in the western part of Kossuth County occasionally held services in a schoolhouse east of West Bend. These services were at first conducted by Rev. C.F.W. Maahs of Lotts Creek and later by Rev. William Faulstich of Whittemore.
     In Nov., 1890, an Evangelical congregation, named the German Evangelical Peace Church, was organized in West Bend. The following year, this congregation purchased a house on a large lot to serve as a parsonage. The original lot forms the northern part of the property of the present Peace Lutheran Church. In 1891, the congregation erected a building which served as both a church and school. Seven years later this building was enlarged. Eight pastors served this Evangelical congregation between 1890 and 1907.
     On July 28, 1907, a meeting was held of members of the Evangelical Church and some Lutherans living in the vicinity. In this meeting, the Evangelical Church was dissolved. All the property and rights of the congregation were transferred to the Evangelical Peace Lutheran Church, which was organized in the same meeting.
     The new congregation was composed of members of the former Evangelical Church and of Lutherans living in the area. The first pastor of the Lutheran congregation was the Rev. H.W. Striepe, of the Ohio Synod of the Lutheran Church. He remained until Feb. 1909.
     The group of Lutherans living east of West Bend, who had been served by the Rev. William Faulstich, now joined the congregation, with the understanding that the church would henceforth be served by pastors of the Missouri Synod of the Lutheran Church. The congregation officially became a member of the Missouri Synod in 1921.
     A call was sent to the Missouri Synod for a candidate. Candidate Julius Deckman, a graduate of the seminary, accepted the call and served the congregation from Sept., 1909 until April, 1914. For about 4-1/2 years, the German language was used exclusively in the services and instruction. In 1912, English services were begun. All German was discontinued in 1942. There was some discussion about conducting a parochial school. Such a school was conducted in 1921 but was soon discontinued.
     During the ministry of Rev. Theodore Frese, 1914 to 1920, the parsonage was enlarged and additional property was purchased to the south of the original lot. During World War I, the congregation faithfully supported the government, but experienced some difficulty because of its German background.
     In Dec., 1920, the Rev. Otto C. Kitzmann became pastor of the congregation. During his ministry, a Young People's Society and a Ladies' Aid were organized. Also a Sunday School and a Saturday School for the instruction of the children of the congregation were begun. The present brick church building was erected in 1924.
     Rev. Kitzmann died on Feb. 20, 1926, and was succeeded by his son, the Rev. Immanuel G. Kitzmann. The younger Kitzmann served the congregation for 8-1/2 years, the longest tenure of any of the pastors.
     The Rev. E.J. Otto was installed as pastor in Jan., 1935. He served the congregation until Nov. 1940.
     Candidate Victor A. Mack began his ministry of the congregation in Nov., 1940 and served until Nov., 1943. During this time the parsonage was remodeled.
     The Rev. E.A. Krause served as minister of the congregation from Feb., 1944 to June, 1949. During these years of World War II, twenty-nine young men of the congregation served in the Armed Forces. Three gave their lives for their country. A new Wicks organ was installed in the church in 1947.
     The Rev. William Schuelke became a pastor of the congregation in Feb., 1950. After a short ministry of a little over a year he was called to his eternal home. During his ministry, a remodeling program was begun on the church.
     The Rev. Elmer E. Greene served the congregation from Nov., 1951 to April, 1957. Much progress was made during these years in Christian education and in enlisting members in the work of the church. The remodeling program on the church was completed and a new educational building was added to the church.
     The Rev. Delbert E. Weiss became pastor of the congregation in July, 1957, and served until July, 1962.
     The present pastor, the Rev. Walter C. Ostermeier, was installed on May 5, 1963. Although many changes are taking place in the rural areas, with the population declining, Peace Lutheran Church has maintained its membership at about the same level as former years. The congregation numbers some 377 souls and 261 communicant members.