Rev. Bruce Chittick has become the new pastor at Burton Community Church, replacing Rev. Marcus Walker, who died from cancer in March.

Chittick joins the church after a six-month search by the congregation’s search committee, according to Jeannette Smith, the church’s moderator. He officiated his first service at the small, white-washed chapel in Burton on Nov. 6.

Chittick graduated in 2009 from the School of Theology and Ministry at Seattle University with a Master of Divinity degree. He was ordained last year at Seattle First Baptist Church where he was serving as the interim Coordinator of Family Ministries.

He and his partner of 11 years, Russ Kaake, live in Seattle’s Beacon Hill neighborhood with their 4-year-old son Spencer.