Clergy & Staff

Pastor George W. Loewer was born on December 5th, 1951 in the Bronx, NY. He was baptized at the Lutheran Church of the Epiphany on February 17th, 1952. He attended Lutheran schools, and was first introduced to an “evangelical catholic” understanding of Lutheranism at Our Saviour High School, pastored by The Rev’d Dr. Berthold von Schenk. Pastor von Schenk was a leader in the liturgical movement and advocate for the weekly celebration of the Mass in Lutheran congregations. Pastor Loewer graduated from the Lutheran Seminary, Philadelphia and received Ordination as a presbyter at St. Stephen’s Church, Feasterville on May 17th, 1977 by Bishop William Jansen. His first call was to St. Michael’s Church Kensington Philadelphia, where he served 21 years. During that time, the Lutheran Book of Worship was introduced and a weekly celebration of the Mass established. Outreach to the neighborhood became more intentional. The Lutheran School of Kensington was founded in 1979, with Pastor Loewer serving as principal. The Good Samaritan Food Pantry was started, distributing food to needy families two days a week. In May of 1998 Pastor Loewer received a call to Zion Bristol where he continues to serve. During his tenure, the church sanctuary and narthex have been remodeled. A wood ceiling replaced acoustical tiles and laminate flooring replaced carpeting. Acoustics have been improved considerably. Pastor Loewer considers it his privilege to serve as Zion’s pastor, where the Mass is the center of parish life. Thankful to God, that the people of God are nurtured by God’s Word and strengthened to serve by the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist.

Gavin started with us at Zion in January 2020. Gavin's love of music goes back to singing with his grandparents in their nursing home at the age of 4. He taught himself piano,  playing by ear, until ninth grade, when he was able to start lessons. He worked  diligently to teach himself sight-reading of  music, opening a hymnal and playing a  different hymn every day. In eleventh grade,  Gavin became interested in the sound of the  pipe organ, and began lessons with David Furniss, long-time music minister at St.  John's UCC, Lansdale, PA. Gavin entered Westminster Choir College in  Princeton, and studied organ with Alan  Morrison and Peter Conte, and voice with  Sean McArthur. During his college years,  Gavin attended the Episcopal Church at Princeton, which is the Episcopal faith community at Princeton University. He  served in their choir as section leader and  sacred music intern, and occasionally  substituted as organist on 101-stop 4- keyboard organ in the University Chapel. The highlight of Gavin's time there was the  opportunity to sing in a joint concert with  the famed choral scholars of King's College,  Cambridge. Prior to coming to Zion, Gavin served two Episcopal churches in Philadelphia as  Director of Music. During his time there,  Gavin implemented a choir camp for  children who lived in the neighborhood, but did not belong to the parish. Gavin's aspirations for Zion post-pandemic include creating a choral program  with high school choral scholars, and  establishing a series of concerts.