Rev. David K. North

Rev. David K. North was born on July 4, 1955, the fifth of six children, into a devout, Christian family in Alton, Illinois. His family was very active in St. John Baptist Church. He was licensed to preach the Gospel of Christ in November, 1979. Educational endeavors include a Bachelor of Arts in Physics (June 1977) and a Master of Science in Environmental Studies (August 1980) from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, Illinois, and a Master of Divinity from Colgate Rochester Bexley Hall Crozer Theological Seminary in Rochester, New York (May 1982).

Rev. North began full-time ministry as the assistant to the pastor of Metropolitan Baptist Church, N.W., Washington, D.C., and served there from July 1982 until September 1984. He then served as pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, N.E., Washington, D.C., until July 1991. Rev. North was diagnosed as HIV+ in June 1991, which precipitated his resignation and separation from his wife and family. He began attending Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, D.C., where he came to an acceptance of who and what he was as a homosexual. After eleven years of spiritual and emotional healing, Rev. North has reclaimed his calling to ordained ministry, and has been re-ordained in the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches. He currently serves as pastor of Holy Redeemer MCC in College Park, Maryland. North has shared his powerful ministry of Word, testimony, and song in churches throughout the United States, and feels a strong calling to be a “bridge person” for all who would embrace religious tolerance, ecumenism, and the joy of God’s unconditional love.

(This biographical statement taken from the web site of Holy Redeemer MCC: www.holy-redeemer-mcc.org.)

Biography Date: November, 2005

“David North and I went to Alton High School together in the early 1970s.  We were in some of the same choral groups, and he had the most beautiful voice!! I just read an article on NPR about his "Doorway to the Imagination" which he built in his yard. A photo was included, and even with a beard, he was absolutely recognizable. I googled and came across this bio!  I'm so pleased to know he's still around, living his life with his husband, obviously super happy, still a minister and helping people, and singing!!   Whether he remembers me or not (1973 was a long time ago), I always think of that sweet guy with the amazing voice that performed in high school. ”
 – as remembered by Ramona Macias Gebauer on June 9, 2020

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