Rev. P. Devon Brown
Patrick Devon Brown is the oldest of four children born to Dr. Lee P. Brown and the late Mrs. Yvonne C. Brown. He was born in Fresno, California and raised in Portland, Oregon where he received most of his primary education.
Pastor Brown attained his Bachelor of Arts degree from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia where he graduated with honors. While attending Morehouse he gave his life to Jesus and eventually accepted his call to ministry.
Reverend Brown was ordained in the African Methodist Episcopal Church during its Bi-Centennial celebration of 1987 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He went on to receive a Master of Divinity degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary of Evanston, Illinois. While a student there he served as President for Garrett-Evangelical Black Seminarians. He also served as Director of the National Conference of Black Seminarians. Patrick Graduated from Garrett-Evangelical in 1989 as the first Archibald J. Carey Scholar.
In that same year the Reverend Brown was appointed Associate Pastor to Our Saviour’s United Methodist Church of Schaumburg, Illinois. While serving in that capacity, he was presented the Denman award for Evangelism by the Northern Illinois Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. This recognition was granted because of his shared role in the growth of the Our Saviour’s Church.
In 1992 Brown was appointed to St. Mark United Methodist Church of Chicago as Associate Pastor. During that time period Reverend Brown was elected chairperson for the annual conference Commission on Religion and Race. This committee is responsible for monitoring local and conference wide efforts to promote racial inclusiveness.
In 1995 P. Devon itinerated to Faith UMC in Chicago, Illinois. During his tenure there, Faith Church experienced growth in attendance, service and spirituality. The congregation also completed a much-needed building renovation program that retooled it for vital ministry in an urban environment.
During the summer of 2013 Brown was reappointed to the historic St. Mark United Methodist Church where he currently serves as senior pastor.
Reverend Brown has served as president of Chicago Black Methodists for Church Renewal (BMCR), and the Black United Methodist Pastor caucus of BMCR.
Pastor Brown remains active in the community having served as President for the Alliance of Congregations Transforming the Southside, the Southeast Englewood Good Neighbors organization, Chicago Black Methodists for Church Renewal, the Sixth Ward Clergy Advisory Council and the Greater Grand Crossing – Chatham Clergy Association.
Reverend Brown is married to the former Sharon Ards. They are the parents of two adult children.