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Celebration of life services scheduled for Bishop Loran Mann, former Channel 11 anchor

PITTSBURGH — UPDATE: Services for Bishop Loran Mann will be held starting on Monday, May 24 from noon - 9 p.m. at the Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ.

Bishop Mann will lie in repose at the East Liberty church before a Local/Jurisdictional Celebration on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

On Wednesday, May 26, a National Homecoming Celebration will be held at the Monroeville Convention Center at 10 a.m.

Masks are required. CDC Guidelines will be followed.


Respected bishop and former broadcast journalist Loran Mann died Sunday morning.

“He epitomized what it meant to be effective in your own walk with Jesus Christ and effective in your walk in the world. I mean how many people do you know that’s been a newscaster that started a radio station, that started a church. That’s a husband and father,” explained Dr. Sheila Johnson-Hunt, who is the president of the Baptist Minister’s conference of Pittsburgh and Vicinity.

Bishop Mann started the Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ in East Liberty back in 1969. Bishop Mann graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and started his work in the ministry as a teen. Rev. Mann also owned WGBN, the first 24-hour gospel station.

He spent more than 20 years at WPXI Channel 11 as a newscaster, and won several awards during his 21 years in broadcasting.

Those who knew him say they’ll remember him the most for being a good example and a great friend.

This doesn’t seem real! I love you Dad ❤️😔

Posted by Loran E. Mann II on Sunday, May 2, 2021

Channel 11 spoke with a church member about their loss.

“We are hurting. We’re hurting. We’re going to miss him of course,” Jacquelyn McDonald explained. “This is going to be a really big adjustment for all of us. He has a lovely wife. She’s a beautiful personality. My heart is going out to her and his family right now.”

Bishop Mann leaves behind his wife, Barbra, and his children Teanna and Loran II.

Even though he died on Sunday, his voice will live on in the people’s lives he touched.