IT WASN’T a leap of faith but of location and denomination that resulted in the Reverend Ben Gilmour becoming one of the first openly gay ministers appointed to a major branch of the Christian church in Sydney.

Mr Gilmour, who served 10 years as an Anglican minister on the north coast, has joined the Reverend Nicole Fleming as gay ministers leading Uniting Church congregations.

Ms Fleming, 36, was inducted as minister of Balmain Uniting Church last month, and Mr Gilmour, 34, joined Paddington Uniting Church a week later.