The Rev. E. Carl Howard, Pastor of the First Congregational Church on the Green has been selected as West Haven African-American Citizen of the Year by the City’s Black Heritage Committee. “Pastor Howard has been a very dedicated member of the West Haven community.” Said Committee Chairman Steven R. Mullins, “He has been a wonderful spiritual guide to the people of the Congregational Church and the people of West Haven, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.”
The ceremony will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 23 in noon in the Harriet C. North Conference Room, second floor at West Haven City Hall, 355 Main St. In addition to Howard, West Haven High School juniors Ayannah Obas and Randy Alston will receive citations in recognition of their academic achievement and leadership at the high school. The keynote speaker will be the Rev. Denya McGee,
Born and raised in Stamford, Howard has been a West Haven resident for the more than 30 years. Prior to being called as Senior Pastor, he served First Church as bridge pastor and provided pulpit supply during interim periods. His appointment as Senior Pastor was ground-breaking, considering that he is the first Pastor of African stock in the parish’s 300 plus year history.
Howard is a graduate of Yale Divinity School and has earned several master’s degrees from Liberty University Baptist Theological Seminary. He has been married to his wife Belinda for more than thirty years.