Pastor Charles E. Romanowski, known as "Pastor Chuck" to most, preached his last sermon at St. Mark's Lutheran Church on Sunday, July 29 after serving 21

Peter Reigner, Church Council President at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, presents Pastor Romanowski with a Fraktur at his retirement lunch.

years in the Upper Perkiomen Valley.

                "This whole retirement thing is bittersweet; I've been here 21 years and gotten to know so many people," stated Pastor Romanowski.

                Romanowski was born and raised in the Kensington section of Philadelphia.

                After high school, he originally attended Notre Dame University for a degree in teaching with hopes of becoming a high school teacher.

                By his junior year of college, Romanowski struggled to find a single career path that suited him.

                "I was looking at various career paths; I was considering law school or going into political science with international relations," stated Romanowski.

                After graduating from Notre Dame in 1974 with a Bachelor's Degree in

Kathy Romanowski, Pastor Chuck Romanowski, and Moher-in-Law Marty Hickman at the brunch held in honor of his retirement.

Sociology and Education, he attended the four-year Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, South Carolina.  

                Upon graduation at Seminary, he served as pastor for 11-and-a-half-years at St. John's Lutheran Church in Folcroft and six-and-a-half-years at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Conshohocken.

                "I ended up leaving the church in Conshohocken, because I was looking for change; I was excited to come to St. Mark's because it presented an interesting challenge in an area I wasn't accustomed to," stated Romanowski.

                After becoming Pastor at St. Mark's in 1997, he did not expect to stay and serve for21 years.

                "I wasn't expecting to be here this long, but one year went after another; I loved how the leadership and members were open to new things," stated Romanowski.

                To this day, he has been an ordain for a total of 38 years.

                "I think there are challenges that we as a congregation have tried our best to tackle, along with the other churches in the area, not just St. Mark's," stated Romanowski.

                His responsibilities as pastor cover a wide range, from conducting worship services, administer the sacraments, teaching the theological faith, visit the sick, and being an overseer to all church staff.

                 "Pastor Chuck is such an inspirational man, we are happy for him, but sad to see him go; he is irreplaceable," stated Lucy Kern, congregational member of St. Mark's.

                Romanowski was also active in the community, serving numerous years as president for both the Senior Center and Upper Perk Manor. He was also an active member in the Drug Task Force, Domestic Violence Task Force, and the Open Link.

                "I have so many positive comments on Pastor Chuck; he was a devoted leader in the church, active in the community, and all around great guy," stated Pete Reigner, St. Mark's council president.

                "His wisdom and leadership was phenomenal; He is loved by the congregation and we will miss him,"

                Romanowski, who currently resides in Perkasie, plans on moving close to Avalon, New Jersey with his wife.

                "We planned to do this some time ago," stated Romanowski.

                While residing there, he will continue to serve Mondays, Thursdays, and three Sundays a month at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Manahawkin, New Jersey.