Dr. Kenneth W. Chalker
Senior Pastor
As senior pastor, Dr. Kenneth W. Chalker provides a unique blend of inspired leadership, human insight and enthusiastic direction necessary to build such a diverse and inclusive congregation. His life experiences have enabled him to bring to this church setting an approach and perspective few possess.
In 1986, at the age of 36, Dr. Chalker was appointed pastor of First United Methodist Church, located at the corner of East 30th and Euclid Avenue in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. That year, Sunday worship attendance had dwindled to less than 50 people.
By 2008, under Dr. Chalker's dynamic leadership, membership had grown to more than 600. Yet, the financial challenges of maintaining a century-old gothic cathedral became increasingly difficult. Concurrently, the congregation of Epworth-Euclid United Methodist Church, located at East 107th and Chester Avenue, was experiencing very similar challenges. So, with Dr. Chalker's appointment as pastor of both churches in July of 2009, the two congregations considered the possibility of merging into one thriving faith family.
Indeed, on March 14, 2010, with Dr. Chalker as their spiritual and administrative leader, both congregations adopted the name of "University Circle United Methodist Church" and now call the cathedral at E.107th and Chester their spiritual home.
Twice named by Cleveland Magazine as one of Cleveland’s most interesting people, Dr. Chalker is an active participant in the life of the city of Cleveland. He serves on the boards of numerous community organizations, is a graduate of Leadership Cleveland and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Mount Union and actively involved on the board of University Circle Inc.
In addition to being an enthusiastic and inspirational public speaker, Dr. Chalker has authored Dare to Defy: Challenging Stereotypes and Looking at Relationships and numerous articles for newspapers and journals. He has influenced audiences as a radio and television commentator and is the recipient of the Cleveland Advertising Club’s “Outstanding Communication Achievement of the Year” Award.
Dr. Chalker is a graduate of Garrett-ETS at Northwestern University, Duke University Divinity School and the University of Mount Union.
In 1986, at the age of 36, Dr. Chalker was appointed pastor of First United Methodist Church, located at the corner of East 30th and Euclid Avenue in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. That year, Sunday worship attendance had dwindled to less than 50 people.
By 2008, under Dr. Chalker's dynamic leadership, membership had grown to more than 600. Yet, the financial challenges of maintaining a century-old gothic cathedral became increasingly difficult. Concurrently, the congregation of Epworth-Euclid United Methodist Church, located at East 107th and Chester Avenue, was experiencing very similar challenges. So, with Dr. Chalker's appointment as pastor of both churches in July of 2009, the two congregations considered the possibility of merging into one thriving faith family.
Indeed, on March 14, 2010, with Dr. Chalker as their spiritual and administrative leader, both congregations adopted the name of "University Circle United Methodist Church" and now call the cathedral at E.107th and Chester their spiritual home.
Twice named by Cleveland Magazine as one of Cleveland’s most interesting people, Dr. Chalker is an active participant in the life of the city of Cleveland. He serves on the boards of numerous community organizations, is a graduate of Leadership Cleveland and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Mount Union and actively involved on the board of University Circle Inc.
In addition to being an enthusiastic and inspirational public speaker, Dr. Chalker has authored Dare to Defy: Challenging Stereotypes and Looking at Relationships and numerous articles for newspapers and journals. He has influenced audiences as a radio and television commentator and is the recipient of the Cleveland Advertising Club’s “Outstanding Communication Achievement of the Year” Award.
Dr. Chalker is a graduate of Garrett-ETS at Northwestern University, Duke University Divinity School and the University of Mount Union.