About Prince of Peace · Flowery Branch, Georgia
Prince of Peace Catholic Church is a thriving Roman Catholic parish in Flowery Branch, Georgia, in the southern part of Hall County northeast of Atlanta. It belongs to the Archdiocese of Atlanta and serves roughly 10,000 parishioners with a large sacramental and formation program that includes a Spanish-language Mass and Life Teen liturgy. The parish's story began in 1975 as a small Buford mission founded by thirteen families on land donated decades earlier by businessman Bona Allen, and after outgrowing its original site it relocated to a 65-acre campus on Spout Springs Road in 2002–2005.
- Established
- 1975
- Patron
- Prince of Peace (Jesus Christ, as the 'Prince of Peace')
- Rector
- Father Ignacio Morales
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Atlanta
Why belong here
Prince of Peace offers the full sacramental life of a large, active parish — multiple Sunday Masses including a Spanish Mass and a Life Teen liturgy, daily Mass, a robust confession schedule, and round-the-week Eucharistic Adoration. Parishioners can grow through Faith Formation for children (POP Families, K–5), Youth Ministry & Confirmation (grades 6–12), adult Christian Initiation (RCIA), plus pastoral music and worship ministries. Outreach is hands-on through the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry, the Knights of Columbus, the Columbiettes, and a homeless ministry serving Hall County and Atlanta — making it a place where families of all backgrounds can encounter Christ, form friendships and put faith into action.
Mass times at Prince of Peace
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 9:30am
- Tuesday 6:00pm – 6:45pm (English)
- Thursday 6:00pm – 6:45pm (Bilingual)
- Friday 6:00pm (during Lent only)
Adoration times
- Monday 9:00am through Tuesday 9:00am — 24 continuous hours following the Monday Mass
- Tuesday 9:30am – 7:00pm
- Wednesday 9:30am – 10:00pm
- Thursday 9:30am – 10:00pm
- Friday 9:30am – 10:00pm
Our Story — From Buford Mission to Flowery Branch Parish
Prince of Peace traces its origin to a 1956 gift of 10 acres in Buford from tanner and businessman Bona Allen to the Archdiocese of Atlanta, in honor of his employee Leo Lawler's faithful Sunday commute to Atlanta for Mass. A Buford mission began in 1973, and on Christmas Eve 1975 the first Mass was celebrated in a small building designed by fellow Catholic and architect Vic Maloof — giving the parish its name, Prince of Peace. It was dedicated on July 10, 1977, and became a canonical parish on April 3, 1983.
- 1956: Bona Allen donates 10 acres in Buford
- 1973: Buford mission established
- December 24, 1975: First Mass celebrated; parish named Prince of Peace
- July 10, 1977: Building dedicated
- November 1977: Leo Lawler dies
- April 3, 1983: Established as a parish (per GCatholic)
- 1987: Multi-purpose building added
- 1989: Sides expanded
- Late 1990s: 800 → ~2,000 families
Forward in Faith Capital Campaign & Move to Flowery Branch
Outgrowing its original 15-acre Buford campus, the parish spent more than two years evaluating over 80 parcels of land and pushed for a change in parish boundaries to extend the search into Hall County. In October 2002 the parish paid cash for 65 acres on Spout Springs Road in Flowery Branch. Architects Chapman Griffin Lanier & Sussenbach (CGLS) were hired in May 2002 and produced a 15-year master plan; the 'Forward in Faith' capital campaign launched in December 2003 with nearly $4.5 million in pledges, groundbreaking occurred on March 23, 2005, and Phase I was complete in time for the 30th anniversary Christmas Masses on December 24–25, 2005. Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory dedicated the altar on January 7, 2006, and returned on January 21, 2016 to consecrate the renovated church.
- October 2002: 65 acres purchased on Spout Springs Road
- May 2002: Architects CGLS hired
- December 2003: 'Forward in Faith' capital campaign launched (~$4.5M)
- March 23, 2005: Groundbreaking
- December 24–25, 2005: 30th anniversary Christmas Masses at the new campus
- January 7, 2006: Altar dedicated by Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory
- January 21, 2016: Archbishop Gregory consecrates the renovated church
Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation
Faith Formation is organized under the Director of Faith Formation and serves every age and stage. POP Families accompanies children in grades K–5 and their parents, including First Reconciliation and First Eucharist preparation. Youth Ministry welcomes teens in grades 6–12, including youth Baptism, youth First Eucharist, and Confirmation (grades 10–12). Christian Initiation walks adults and older youth into the Catholic faith through the RCIA process.
- POP Families (K–5)
- First Eucharist (Grades 2–5)
- Youth Ministry (Grades 6–12)
- Youth Baptism (Grades 6–12)
- Youth First Eucharist (Grades 6–12)
- Youth Confirmation (Grades 10–12)
- Christian Initiation (RCIA) for adults and youth
- Adult faith formation
Hall County Catholic School (Proposed)
A Catholic K–8 school on the Prince of Peace campus has long been part of the master plan, and a Hall County Catholic School initiative was actively pursued in partnership with the Archdiocese of Atlanta and the Office of Catholic Schools. Archbishop Gregory Hartmeyer announced that, despite widespread excitement and diligent preparation, the school could not open as planned and that more time is needed to build a sustainable Catholic school community. The parishes continue to explore options for a future school.
- K–8 school envisioned in the original 65-acre master plan
- Office of Catholic Schools and parishes collaborated on launch
- Launch deferred; further options under development
Parish Life, Music & Liturgy
Worship at Prince of Peace is supported by a full liturgical team, including a Director of Music & Liturgy, AV Specialist / Coordinator of Worship, Worship Coordinator, liturgical ministers, and Pastoral Care ministries that bring the Eucharist and Communion to the sick and homebound. Parish Life ministries foster fellowship and hospitality, and the Onboarding & Engagement Coordinator helps newcomers find their place. The parish also livestreams Masses for those at home.
- Bob Barry — Director of Music & Liturgy
- Robert Basilio — AV Specialist / Coordinator of Worship
- Dulce Galvan — Worship Coordinator
- Liturgical ministries (Mass roles, care of sick and homebound)
- Parish Life / hospitality ministries
- Nursery (Melissa Voyles, Nursery Coordinator)
- Livestream Masses
Outreach & Service: St. Vincent de Paul Conference
The St. Vincent de Paul Prince of Peace Conference serves neighbors in need across Hall and Gwinnett counties (zip codes 30011, 30517, 30518, 30519, 30542, 30548). Volunteers make home visits, offer emergency financial help for rent, mortgage, utilities and other emergencies, and operate a food pantry on the parish's lower lot — reporting that they helped feed over 24,000 individuals in 2025. The conference also connects clients to the SVdP Georgia Community Pharmacy for chronic-condition prescriptions.
- Food Pantry: Wednesdays and Fridays, 10:30am – 1:30pm, in the lower lot of the parish
- Donations accepted Wed & Fri 8:30am – 10:00am
- Financial Aid Help Line: Mon–Wed, 9:00am – 2:00pm, 678-960-0048
- Service area zip codes: 30011, 30517, 30518, 30519, 30542, 30548
- Connection to SVdP Georgia Community Pharmacy
Knights of Columbus, Columbiettes & Cross Bearers
Lay faithful serve through the Knights of Columbus (practicing Catholic men, 18+) and the Columbiettes (practicing Catholic women, 18+), who together support the parish, community, families and young people through charitable works. The Cross Bearers ministry lives out the Gospel by serving the homeless and vulnerable in Hall County and Atlanta, with volunteer teams for sandwich-making, hot meals, clean-up, delivery, and street patrol.
- Knights of Columbus — contact Jack K. ([email protected])
- Columbiettes — contact Lorene P. ([email protected])
- Cross Bearers — contact Daniel L. ([email protected])
- Volunteer teams: Sandwich Ministry, Hot Meal Ministry, Clean-Up Team, Delivery Team, Street Patrol
Clergy & Staff
Prince of Peace is currently served by a pastor and vicar along with seven deacons and a large lay staff. The parish website lists clergy, faith formation, parish life, worship, operations, facilities and administrative staff — reflecting the scope of ministry needed for a parish serving roughly 10,000 Catholics.
- Father Ignacio Morales — Pastor
- Father Pete Coppola — Vicar
- Deacons Anthony Detje, Bill Donohue, Bob Perri, David Schreckenberger, Greg Orf, Jack Campbell, Larry Maijer, Tom Walter
- Faith Formation team led by Director Suzanne Coughlin
- Worship team led by Director of Music & Liturgy Bob Barry
- Operations led by Director Jenny Carrillo with Facilities Manager Brad Sayer
Visit, Contact & Practical Info
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office at [email protected] or (678) 960-0040. Office hours are Monday–Friday 9:30am–12:30pm and 1:00pm–4:00pm; the office is closed Saturday and Sunday. The parish livestreams Masses for those unable to attend in person, and the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry on the lower lot accepts donations and serves neighbors in need throughout the week.
- Address: 6439 Spout Springs Road, Flowery Branch, GA 30542
- Phone: (678) 960-0040
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9:30am–12:30pm and 1:00pm–4:00pm
- Mass livestream available via popfb.org
- Facebook: facebook.com/popcatholicchurch
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Eric Hill2010 – c. 2019
Called by Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory in November 2010 to be pastor of Prince of Peace. Originally from Indiana, ordained June 2000, previously assigned to parishes in Marietta, Buford and Decatur.
- Father Ignacio MoralesCurrent pastor
Listed as Pastor on the parish's current Clergy & Staff page.