Central City, Johnstown Lutheran churches install new pastor

The congregations of SS. Peter and Paul Lutheran Church in Central City and Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Johnstown celebrated the installation of their new pastor, the Rev. Brett P. Witmer, at a combined service on June 30 at the Central City parish.

Rev. Dr. Daniel Hahn, vice president of the Eastern District - Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, officiated at the installation service, assisted by the Rev. Christopher Antonetti of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Lockport, Illinois.

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Meet Rev. Brett Witmer

Witmer is originally from Duncannon, Perry County, and before returning to Pennsylvania, he last served as pastor of the Bethel Lutheran Church in Sutherland, Iowa.

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He is a Shippensburg University graduate and earned a master of divinity at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

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In 2023, SS. Peter and Paul Lutheran Church and Holy Cross Lutheran Church entered into an agreement to find a pastor to serve at both churches. The Rev. Kyle Mullins, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church of Fairhope, temporarily served at all three parishes until Witmer was selected.

A new worship schedule is being developed for both churches.