The efforts of a handful of energetic parishioners to establish a Catholic Church in Sun City Center did not reach the ground breaking stage until October of 1969.

     Challenged by the need to come up with sufficient funds to cover the entire cost of the project before permission to start the construction would be granted, these parishioners, with Charles Mather as General Chairman, raised enough money to cover the total cost- $148,372.13. At that time, there were 159 registered parishioners, and the original Prince of Peace Church, with a seating capacity of 325, seemed adequate.

     Community growth in the 14 years that followed, which included the opening of King's Point, prompted consideration of expanded facilities. While a new, larger church was still in the contemplative stage, more Masses were added to the schedule at the old church to accommodate the growing number of parishioners and visitors. Eventually, the parish outgrew its  home and plans for a new, larger church were approved.

     In November of 1981, the same golden shovel, whose shining blade broke the ground for the original Church, again performed the ground-breaking for the present church. Led by Bishop W. Thomas Larkin and the Pastor, James F. Herlihy, representatives from 17 local Sun City Center organizations dug as parishioners and friends applauded. The new church had a seating capacity of about 560 and was built at an estimated cost of $800,000. Construction provided for future expansion to seat about 1,000 people.

     In April of 1984. Bishop Larkin appointed Monsignor Diego Conesa as pastor.     As the parish grew, Monsignor Conesa soon found that, despite additional Masses, further expansion was necessary. Plans were promptly drawn to add 30 feet to each side of the Church to increase capacity to a total of about 1,006.

     Another undertaking by Monsignor Conesa was the establishment of the Mission, Our Lady of Guadalupe in Wimauma. Prince of Peace Church, with Parish Council approval, pledged financial support and the project has been completed.

     In August of 1998, Monsignor Diego Conesa retired. Bishop Lynch appointed Monsignor Harold Bumpus. Monsignor Bumpus  reorganized the administrative structure of the Parish, computerized the offices and education department, designed and installed the magnificent new pipe organ, and  thoroughly renovated the interior of the church after a necessary replacement of the roof.

     One of the first actions that Msgr. Bumpus took was to name the exceptional Parish Center that was constructed under Msgr. Conesa's leadership, the Msgr. Diego Conesa Parish Center.

     With Msgr. Bumpus' retirement in June 2008, Bishop Robert Lynch appointed Father Joel M. Kovanis as pastor.

     As for the future, we see constant growth in both population and participation in church activities at Prince of Peace.