The Rev. David Denoon, who was ordained as a minister at First Congregational Church of Evanston approximately 15 years ago, will become the new senior minister for the church.
Currently the pastor of Plymouth Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, in Burlington, Wis., Rev. Denoon will take the helm at First Congregational of Evanston on Feb. 1. He has led the Wisconsin church for the past six years.
“The Search Committee enthusiastically and overwhelmingly chose Rev. Denoon as the candidate to lead our church,” said Alan Cubbage, chair of the committee. “Dave brings an outstanding record of success as a senior minister, a strong commitment to Christian education and a deep belief in pastoral care. And the fact that his selection will mark a homecoming for him is an added bonus.”
Rev. Denoon served as the office manager for FCCE as he prepared to graduate from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston and concluded his time as a Student In Care of the Chicago Metropolitan Association of the United Church of Christ. From 1993 to 2001, he served as pastor of First Congregational Church of Forest Glen in Chicago before moving to Wisconsin to lead the church there.
“While updating my minister’s profile last summer, I happened to discover that First Congregational of Evanston was in the search process. I hadn’t planned to seek a new position, but I have found that the Spirit sometimes works unexpectedly,” Rev. Denoon said. “After meeting with the search committee and learning more about FCCE, I am excited about the opportunity to lead this congregation.”
Rev. Denoon was the coordinator for the Burlington Area CROP Walk and he is the director of the Burlington Supportive Living Group, which advocates for housing for the mentally ill.
Prior to receiving his master’s in divinity from Garrett-Evangelical, Rev. Denoon earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Evansville in Evansville, Ind. He also has served as a part-time pastor at the Harvard Congregational Church of Oak Park and Oakton Community Church in Evanston.
Rev. Denoon and his wife, Corinne Nisbett Denoon, have one daughter, Gwendolyn, 1.
First Congregational Church of Evanston is one of the oldest congregations in Evanston, founded in 1869, just six years after the city was incorporated. The 200-member church features an outstanding choir and music program and Christian education program. Services are at 10 a.m. Sundays.
First Congregational is a church that values faith, freedom and fellowship. A formal statement of belief is not a condition of membership, simply a sincere Christian conviction and an honest desire to be together as followers of Christ. The church is open and affirming to people of all ages and abilities, races, sexual orientations and national origins.
First Congregational is located in a historic building built in 1927 designed by the architectural firm of Tallmadge and Watson. The church is located at Hinman Avenue and Grove Street in Evanston.