Rev. Christopher Chatelaine-Samsen

pastor

Rev. Chris Chatelaine-Samsen was called to ministry at Central in 2023.

Christopher is a recent Minnesota transplant, having grown up in the New York City suburbs. After high school he attended Wesleyan University where he studied both economics and music, and not for one day in his life has he made a dollar off either of those majors! Although he didn't plan on professional ministry, he found a job doing youth ministry out of college and hasn’t looked back. A few years later he attended Princeton Theological Seminary, where aside from getting a degree he met also met his wife wife, Katie, an ELCA pastor.

They moved to Washington, DC after graduation and connected to the thriving faith and justice community in DC that continued their faith and vocational journeys. He served as an associate pastor in the Georgetown neighborhood as well as mentored students at Wesley Theological Seminary in the midst of their own vocational journeys.

While they lived in DC, their daughter Junia was born. A few years later, his wife received a call to serve a congregation in Winona, MN, so they headed across the country to begin work there. During this time, he served two congregations - one ELCA and one Moravian. Although they loved the bluff country around the Mississippi River, they both felt called back to more urban settings and moved to the Twin Cities this past year. Since then he has been serving as a transitional pastor.

“I'm honored and excited by the call to Central.” says Rev. Chatelaine-Samsent. “Central has been a steadfast presence in Minnesota's capitol for generations, pointing to God's faithfulness and call to love and serve. You innovate while standing on a long tradition of worship, education, arts, and service. I look forward to the times we will eat together at St. Paul's "best kept restaurant secret," be lifted up by the power of amazing music, speak up alongside those advocating for justice, learn with disciples of all ages, and more.”

“My hope is to be a faithful steward of the ministry of Central while we continue to look to the future into which God is calling us. My prayer is that, with God's help, we will continue to be a presence ‘in the city for good,’ ensuring that good work for generations to come.”