Area’s ‘minister of encouragement’ remembered

An Advance photo by Richard Lamb captured Pastor Harold Molzan in the 1990 Nautical City Festival grand parade. He was honored as grand marshal that year.

Rogers City lost its minister of encouragement last weekend with the passing of the Rev. Harold G. Molzan at 91, Saturday, Dec. 7 at his home.

Pastor Molzan said he had the nickname “Moe,” which he liked to think meant minister of encouragement, something he offered for many years.

Born and raised in Patterson, New Jersey, he graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary in Springfield, Illinois in 1947. He served his first congregation in Thawville, Illinois from 1947-1950. From there he served congregatio

ns Christ Lutheran Church in New Baltimore, Michigan and St. Peter Lutheran Church in Fair Haven, from 1950-1954; St. Michael Lutheran Church in Belknap from 1954-1958; Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Saginaw from 1959-1966; and St. John Lutheran Church in Rogers City from 1966 until his retirement in 1987. He served as Pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Posen from January of 1989 until July of 2007.

This week’s Advance will feature a story on the longtime Lutheran minister. Arrangements are being handled by Beck Funeral Home in Rogers City. Visitation is Friday from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m.