First Black Pastor Dominates Pulpit of Historic Ferguson Church

Black History

By ShaCamree Gowdy Published: October 25, 2021

First Black Pastor Dominates Pulpit of Historic Ferguson Church

Dr. Kerry Allison has joined the members of First Presbyterian Church of Ferguson as the first Black pastor in its 150-year history.

In Summary

Kerry Allison has become the first Black pastor in its 150-year history to head the congregation of First Presbyterian Church in Ferguson, the same city that endured racial unrest following the killing of Michael Brown by an officer in 2014.

For the first time in its 150-year history, the predominately white, upper-class congregation of the First Presbyterian Church of Ferguson is basking in sermons of an African-American pastor.

Pastor Kerry Allison stepped into the pulpit of the historic church in July after spending 13 years at Church of the Redeemer in South Los Angeles, per Los Angeles Sentinel’s Cora Jackson-Fossett.

In August of 2014, Ferguson found itself at the center of racial unrest following after a police officer shot and killed 18-year-old Michael Brown. Allison says the city faces all of the obstacles urban America has, including poverty, education and racism, but the First Presbyterian congregation is determined to address them.

“One hundred fifty years ago was quite different from it is today. A lot of separation. Blacks didn’t have an opportunity to worship here and now 150 years later to have an African American to lead this church, it says something about the church,” said Allison, per KSDK News’ Pepper Baker.

According to First Presbyterian’s website, Allison’s 30 years of ministry experience includes youth ministry, social activism, economic development as a university professor, urban pastoral ministry, catalyst for community ministry, children and youth and empowerment/outreach.

The church has about 125 members, and among Allison’s many responsibilities is to help reflect a multicultural community by increasing their participation locally and “attracting people of color, particularly African Americans,” per Jackson-Fossett.

“I’m tremendously excited about the this new position as pastor of a historic church. Our opportunity in Ferguson is to share the power of hope, and possibilities of change,” Allison shared with BNC. “My desire is to help lead First Presbyterian of Ferguson and the community to new ways of being, which will foster racial reconciliation and social renewal.”