Retired pastor continues his writings

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COLETOWN — The Rev. Dr. Carroll Pahl is now 83 years old and yet continues to write.

Not only has he written cantatas, songs and other books, but he also binds them.

“I publish my own in binders, and have never sold anything,” he said. “I give everything away, as I go on the basis of ‘freely you have received, freely give.’”

To date, he has penned 10 books, 30 booklets, eight position papers and three Pahl genealogy books. Three books in his collection include the history of Coletown Church, email articles and books of jokes.

He said he began writing in 1977 when he was pastoring at the Coletown Congregational Christian Church.

“Much of my writings I have either used in my ministry or given to those who can use them,” he said.

Also among his writings is a recipe book that the family prepared, as well as a mystery for young teens.

One of his books, From The Tabernacle to the Cross, he said, helped earn his doctorate.

The Carrolls came back to this area twice. Both are from Wisconsin, but they were here in the late 70s and were called back in 1996 to pastor local churches.

Carroll, who will turn 84 on March 6, was injured in a lawnmower accident on Sept. 11, 2009, and was airlifted to Miami Valley Hospital, and suffered two heart attacks this past September and October, yet he keeps up his writing.

However, Carroll said his first love is playing the organ.

“I was self-taught and can play by ear now,” he said.

“He plays organ and piano every Sunday at Coletown Church [where he attends],” wife Evelyn said.

He has even written music, including five cantatas and a book of his own compositions.

“The organ has been my first love and, in the late 1970s, I went into Memorial Hall twice a week to play the pipe organ,” he said. ” To date, I have played in 61 different churches and institutions.”

He said he has played many organs over the years and even has a list of the ones he played. The local ones include Ansonia Congregational Christian Church, Ansonia United Methodist Church, Beamsville Church, First Congregational Christian Church in Greenville, First United Methodist Church in Greenville, the Hollansburg Community Church, North Star Congregational Church, St. John Lutheran Church in Greenville, two at the Coletown Church and two at the East Zion Community Church.

He and his wife, who will be celebrating 60 years of marriage on Aug. 11 this year, has four sons, nine grandchildren and nine-great-grandchildren with a tenth one on the way.

“I never regretted it [marrying her],” he said.

The Rev. Dr. Carroll Pahl is shown with just some of the writings he has done in the past 39 years. He also does pen and ink drawings, which he holds in his hands.
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_pahlauthorPRINT.jpgThe Rev. Dr. Carroll Pahl is shown with just some of the writings he has done in the past 39 years. He also does pen and ink drawings, which he holds in his hands.

https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_pahlauthorWEB.jpg
Authored dozens of publications

By Linda Moody

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Linda Moody may be reached at 937-569-4315. Follow her on Facebook and join the conversation and get updates on Facebook by searching Darke County Sports or Advocate 360. For more features online go to dailyadvocate.com.

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