A long-time pastor in the South Butler area was given a fond farewell by his parishioners in a unique way on Sunday.
Pastor Barry J. Keurulainen decided to retire as Senior Pastor of St. Luke Lutheran Church and School in Cabot more than a year ago. With the pandemic, the farewell plans had to change.
In order to respect health and safety guidelines, parishioners lined the road in Laura Doerr Park in Jefferson Township, Butler County, as the pastor and his family were driven by the socially distanced crowd in an antique car after his last church service.
Simon Nuebert, who lives in the South Butler area and is part of the Western PA Model T Ford Club, brought out his 1913 Model T Ford and drove the pastor and his family through the park.
Pastor Keurulainen was presented with handwritten letters before service began on Sunday that were from as far away as Scotland, Texas, Florida, Maine, West Virginia, North Carolina and many locations around the Pittsburgh area; including Butler, Sarver, Freeport, Saxonburg, and Cabot. He also had a letter wishing him sent by his favorite baseball team, the Boston Red Sox.
He was a pastor at St. Luke Lutheran Church and School for 39 years.
#pastor
#retires
#SouthButler
#ButlerCountyPA
#ModelT
