Pierre Widmer [SEP] native language
Pierre Widmer
Pierre Widmer (1912–1999) was a French Mennonite pastor, editor of the journal "Christ Seul".
Early life.
Born in Brognard, France, in the department of Doubs near Montbéliard, Pierre Widmer was raised in a Mennonite family. Widmer attended the Mennonite church at Montbéliard as a young man and was baptised there. He attended the École Normale in Besançon, where he developed a love for poetry.
In 1936, Widmer married Hélène Sommer, the daughter of Pierre Sommer, a man
relative youth (33 years), and because he was the natural successor of church leader Pierre Sommer, his father-in-law. Widmer is elected "Ancien" or elder of the Montbéliard church in 1945. When Widmer took the floor at the Synode of Mennonite churches in May 1946, he called for greater unity among the Mennonite communities and a greater focus on activities for youth. His proposals were not unanimously appreciated. The Alsatian Mennonites decided at their conference at Pfastatt a few weeks later to turn down Widmer's