First Christian Church

Cherie Marckx

Rev. Cherie Marckx has been pastor of First Christian Church in Ukiah since 1997, the first woman ever called to this role. She is a graduate of the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, with both a Master of Divinity degree in Pastoral Theology and a Master of Arts in Religious Education. Before being called to pastoral ministry she served several churches as Director of Religious Education, and before that was active for many more years in a ministry of music. Cherie is ordained in the United Church of Christ, one of the two partnership churches that make up First Christian. She says, “My primary calling as a minister is to help open people’s understanding of the love of God. I believe in a God who is open and welcoming – inviting everyone into the Reign of God, where there is hope and forgiveness, joy and a passion for creation, love and an unconditional invitation.” Pastor Cherie lives in Geyserville with her husband, Rev. Hilary F. Marckx, who is the pastor of the Geyserville Christian Church. When not working, Cherie is a fiber artist and quilter.