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Predominately white Oakland Presbyterian Church appoints its first black pastor

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By Bridgette Outten, Staff Writer Updated 11:44 PM Friday, January 1, 2010

For two years, Oakland Presbyterian Church has been without a permanent pastor.

But with the new year comes a new addition. The Rev. Derrick Weston will preach his first sermon Sunday, Jan. 3.

In another new move for the nearly 90-year-old church, the pastor they selected is its first minority pastor — and at 29, Weston is one of its youngest members.

Clark County Commissioner David Hartley was chairman of the nine-member committee that selected Weston.

The predominately white church, 2327 E. High St., has about 120 members, most of whom are over 65, said Hartley. He has been a member of the church for nearly 50 years.

“It wasn’t about race at all,” Hartley said. “He was the best candidate for the job. We believe the Holy Spirit led him to us.”

A native of Pittsburgh, Weston received his Master’s of Divinity from San Francisco Theological Seminary. Weston most recently served as a minister in the Pittsburgh Presbytery and a mission advancement manager for the Pittsburgh Project, an urban community development ministry.

Weston believes his leadership will spur more fellowship across boundaries of race and age.

“Being a young, African-American male leading a primarily white congregation is a model for those of us who call ourselves followers of Christ,” Weston said. “This is a way to cross lines and come across boundaries in fellowship that aren’t normally crossed.”

Weston and his wife, Marnie, will live in Springfield and are expecting their first child later this month.