Outstanding Leadership in Queens
2001 Honoree of the Queens Federation of Churches

The Rev. Patrick H. O'Connor

He received his formal education from Munro College, the University of the West Indies, the United Theological College of the West Indies, Yale University Divinity School and Columbia University. The Reverend Mr. O'Connor also is a graduate of the Columbia Business School, Institute for Not-for-Profit Management, Executive Level program. At the University of the West Indies and the United Theological College of the West Indies he graduated with honors. While at Yale he was The William and Marian Sengel Scholar for the Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.) Degree. Mr. O'Connor has completed 5½ units of Clinical Pastoral Education at the Yale - New Haven Hospital and the Connecticut Mental Health Center in New Haven. Programs run by the Industrial Areas Foundation provided additional leadership development and important formative training for ministry.

Ordained by the United Church of Jamaica and Grand Cayman (Presbyterian and Congregational) in June 1986, Mr. O'Connor received his first Pastoral call serving three congregations in the northern section of Jamaica. He served with distinction in these congregations being known for the fundraising, building, evangelistic and mission outreach programs.

He began his ministry at First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica as Minister of Church and Community in August 1992. He was formally called as Associate Pastor in the spring of 1993 and has served faithfully the congregation to this day where he is the Moderator of Session and Head of Staff. Working with his partner in ministry the Reverend William Stark, both ministers saw the membership of this multicultural, multiracial, multinational congregation grow from 350 to over 800 members. At the same time, an explosion of involvement and participation by the members launched the mission and ministry of this 339-year-old congregation into new areas. Over the last three years this ministry has continued to flourish with new programs and strategies for ministry being employed. The Reverend Mr. O'Connor's model of ministry is one which believes in the priesthood of all believers. Ministry well done involves the harnessing of the varied gifts, skills and leadership and staff to effectively exercise the ministry and mission of the church. The model continues to have great success at First Jamaica.

Mr. O'Connor's leadership extends beyond the congregation to the Presbytery of New York City. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Presbytery of New York City, a member of the Executive Search Committee and has served on the Mission Interpretation and Service Committee. Nationally he has been a workshop leader at the Peacemaking conference of the PCUSA. He is a member of the Metro Industrial Areas Foundation Leadership team, a key leader of the Queens Citizens Organization, a Board Member of the Queens Character of Habitat for Humanity, a Board Member of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, a Board Member of First Jamaica Community and Urban Development Corporation and has been involved with the work of the Interfaith Center of New York.

Mr. O'Connor is married to Marcia and they have two children, Ashley (8) and Zachary (4).