First Lutheran Church welcomes new pastor

Special to the Mountain Democrat

First Lutheran Church of Placerville recently installed a new pastor. A call was made to Rev. Mark A. Oatman of San Leandro in November 2022, he accepted and has been in the process of buying, selling and moving. He began as the full-time pastor Feb. 5. The church was founded in August 1954 with Donald Herman, who served the church for 33 years before retiring. Then came Rev. Wade Meyer, Rev. Rod Hilpert, Rev. Mark Hass and Rev. Kevin Foley. Pastor Kevin served the church as a vicar from the St. Louis seminary from August 2015 to 2016. A vicar is a pastor in training. He was then ordained and installed as the new pastor, serving August 2016 to May 2022. He received a call from a church in Omaha, Neb., and accepted.

The congregation is very happy to have Pastor Mark and also welcomes his wife Debbie. His installation was celebrated with a reception of almost 100 people.