Canton area church installs first openly gay pastor

Associated Press

CANTON, Ohio

An Ohio church marking its 100th anniversary has installed its first openly gay pastor.

The Congregational United Church of Christ in Plain Township, north of Canton, made the Rev. Dennis Coy its pastor in a formal ceremony Sunday.

Coy tells The Repository that since he was a boy, he had a feeling that he would go into the ministry.

The 35-year-old says coming out publicly in 2012 was a difficult decision that included ending his 10-year marriage to his wife.

But he says he’s come to terms with who he is and wants to show others that it’s OK to be who they are.

Coy, who investigates money laundering for a regional bank, joined the church last fall. He was unanimously elected as pastor in June.