The Rev. Harry and Ruth Peelor were born within 10 days of each other and founded one of the most successful churches in the Pittsburgh area, Christ United Methodist Church.

Late last month they died eight days apart in their home in Rohnert Park, Calif., at the age of 88.

The church they built in Bethel Park has more than 3,700 members.

"He had charisma in the pulpit, but he was also very passionate and compassionate about people," said the Rev. Duane Thompson, the current senior pastor. "If it hadn't been for him, probably this would have been a good, solid medium-sized church with a good pastor. But his presence in the pulpit created this large, thriving, growing church that continued to grow long after he had left."

Rev. Peelor was born in Indiana, Pa. He was a gifted trumpet player who paid for his education at Allegheny, Bloomsburg and Indiana State Colleges by playing in dance bands. He turned down both a full scholarship from the Juilliard School and a job offer from the famous Tommy Dorsey band because he felt a call to ministry, said his oldest daughter, Donna Callen, who remains a member of Christ United Methodist Church.

After Yale Divinity School, he became a Navy chaplain at the height of World War II. During that service he met his future wife, a Navy nurse from Texas. They were married aboard an aircraft carrier in 1946.

Ms. Callen said her father never spoke of the war except to say, near the end of his life, that he wanted to write a book that included the story of "the first sailor who died in his arms."

The newlyweds came to Western Pennsylvania, where the Methodist bishop assigned Rev. Peelor to historic South Avenue Methodist Church in Wilkinsburg. But the south suburbs were starting to boom with young families. In 1949 he was reassigned to start a mission church in the South Hills.

It started in rented rooms above a shoestore at Washington and Highland roads. He knocked on doors to find potential members, and soon encountered another World War II Navy chaplain, the Rev. John Galbreath, who was doing the same thing to start Westminster Presbyterian Church in Upper St. Clair.

The two became fast friends. During the blizzard of 1950 the Peelors were trapped in their house by huge drifts when her parents realized she had a severe concussion after striking her head during a car ride, Ms. Callen said. Rev. Galbreath and a crew from Westminster helped to dig them out and sledded her to a waiting ambulance.

Rev. Peelor was recalled for service during the Korean war, but in 1952 Christ Church built its first building. In 1959 the present church was built.

"I'm just amazed at what he was able to accomplish," Rev. Thompson said. "At age 26 he is sent here by the bishop to start a new church, and by the time he's 36 there were 1,500 members."

Mrs. Peelor was active in building the church, attending its many social gatherings, Ms. Callen said. Both parents were devoted to their four daughters and helped them show horses. Mrs. Peelor was active in the PEO Sisterhood, an organization to promote women's education.

Rev. Peelor's preaching led to a short stint as a chaplain to the Steelers, and a role as a motivational speaker for the Air Force, Ms. Callen said. Christ Church reached 2,500 members in 1975.

That year he became a regular preacher on The Protestant Hour radio show, which aired on 600 stations. In an interview with The Pittsburgh Press, he revealed a preaching style that was interactive and used multimedia decades ahead of its time.

"Preaching is no longer authoritative teaching: 'Thus sayeth the Lord, and you better listen.' I think the function of preaching is to challenge the congregation to think about topics, concepts and ideas," he said.

He held discussions before and after the sermon, preached on suggestions submitted by church members, used audio-visual aids and drama to make points.

"I have found you can say almost anything to people if you are saying it with love. And the preaching must be biblical. Whatever the sermon topic, the Bible has to be the source book," Rev. Peelor said.

In late 1975 he left to become director of outreach ministries for Guideposts Associates in New York City, which specialized in evangelism through inspirational stories. He left within two years for his final ministry post at First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto, Calif. He retired in the late 1970s, but then took a job with a major utility, PG&E.

Her parents grew closer as they spent more time together in their later years, Ms. Callen said. Three daughters lived in California, and had children who were horse enthusiasts. The Peelors delighted in traveling to horse shows in their RV.

But Mrs. Peelor developed Alzheimer's disease, and Rev. Peelor had prostate cancer. After Mrs. Peelor died, a small memorial service was held in their apartment so that Rev. Peelor could attend.

That night, Ms. Callen said, he awoke several times saying, "I keep hearing Ruth calling me."

The next morning his caregiver discovered him dead beside his bed, kneeling in a position of prayer.

"I truly believe that was the way that he wanted it. It's real comforting to know that they are together," Ms. Callen said.

In addition to Ms. Callen, the Peelors are survived by three daughters, Judy Stanton of El Granada, Calif.; Sue Harris of Petaluma, Calif., and Lauren Casentini of Half Moon Bay, Calif; Mrs. Peelor's sister, Marie McGuire of Santa Ana, Calif.; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at a later date at Christ United Methodist Church, Bethel Park.