Text transcribed from caption: P-45940 UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA ELECTS BLACK MODERATOR GUELPH, Ont. -- The Rt. Rev. N. Bruce McLeod (left), immediate past moderator of the United Church of Canada, and Dr. George M. Morrison (right), secretary of the denomination’s General Council, chat with Dr. Wilbur K. Howard after his election as moderator of the Church at its 26th General Council meeting in Guelph, Ont. Dr. Howard, a 62-year-old pastor from Ottawa, is the first black person ever elected to head the United Church. He defeated seven other candidates in an election that lasted more than five hours. Two women and a layman were among the nominees. After his election on the fifth ballot, Dr. Howard told the 453 delegates that his election could be interpreted as “a victorious step forward for all non-whites in Canada.” Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (C-TOR-8D-74-DS)
