The Rev. Lou Nyiri and his wife, Candace, arrived in Gettysburg weeks after earning their Master of Divinity degrees from the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 1996. For 27 years they have been fixtures in the Gettysburg community, especially at Lou’s work, Gettysburg Presbyterian Church.
Friends packed the church’s worship area on Sunday, July 9, to say goodbye to the Nyiri family, including son Alex. They will soon relocate to Michigan, where Lou will serve as senior pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Birmingham Michigan.
During his final sermon as the Gettysburg Presbyterian Church’s associate pastor, Lou led children through the worship area and had them remind attendees of a simple, but powerful, message: “God loves you.” The youngsters followed their bow-tie-wearing pastor as they paraded up and down the aisles shouting those encouraging words.
Lou recalled the church’s personnel committee asking him in 1996 if he could commit to five years. He said he could, with the understanding that sometimes life changes unexpectedly. He stayed much longer and appreciated those who supported him and his family.
During his time in Gettysburg, Lou led 25 youth work camps that traveled to many places throughout the country. He also guided teenagers as the church’s Sunday evening senior high fellowship group director.
Lou Nyiri beyond the church
Many Gettysburg residents who do not belong to the Presbyterian Church know the Nyiri family. Lou served the community beyond his church’s walls as a member of the Lions Club, Adams Rescue Mission Board of Directors, Adams Coalition to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, and Gettysburg High School’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
In 2019, he supported the YWCA Gettysburg & Adams County and Adams County Arts Council by participating in the organizations’ annual joint fundraiser, Dancing with the Local Stars. Lou and his instructor Linda Neiswender won over audiences by waltzing to “That’s Amore” and hustling to the theme from “Star Wars.” Lou and Neiswender were crowned champions.
Family support
Lou expressed appreciation for the many ways the church supported his family. He recalled his 23-year-old son, Alex, needed to spend the first six weeks of his life in the hospital.
“You were a great and loving church family,” Lou said of that difficult time.
Candace was also a constant presence in the church community. A Presbyterian pastor herself, Candace led many women’s retreats for the Gettysburg congregation.
“Candace is the most spiritual person I know,” Phyllis Dowd, the church’s former director of Christian education, said.
Moving on
As the Penn State fan and his family move to Michigan, they will take with them many memories and lifelong friendships. Friends spent more than two hours Sunday lauding the many contributions Lou, Candace, and Alex gave to the church and the Gettysburg community.
Lou’s final message to his congregation was to never change.
“Be God’s people you already are. Don’t stop doing what you do,” he said.
Featured image caption: The Rev. Lou Nyiri leads a group of children through Gettysburg Presbyterian Church as they tell the congregation “God loves you.” (Photo by Alex J. Hayes)
Alex J. Hayes has spent almost two decades in the Adams County news business. He is passionate about sharing stories focused on the people in our communities and following local governments in an age when few journalists report on their meetings. Alex is also a freelance writer for several other publications in South Central Pennsylvania. Alex encourages readers to contact him at ahayes83@gmail.com.
Thank you, Alex, for doing such a wonderful job covering this event (and for speaking as part of it.) We have been so fortunate to have Lou and family with us for so long. Now the people of Birmingham will get to benefit from his love, humor and excellent leadership.
Lou has been a tremendous part of GPC and we will miss him, Candace, and Alex.