The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America installed the Rev. Yehiel Curry as its first Black presiding bishop Saturday, a landmark moment for the predominantly white denomination.

“It hasn’t really hit me yet,” Curry told The Associated Press a week before his installation. “The fact that you’re a first.”

Curry succeeds the Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, who served for 12 years and was the first woman to lead the ELCA.

During Eaton’s tenure, Curry watched as the ELCA conference of bishops went from majority men to majority women.

“I think her presence mattered,” he said. “And I’m hopeful that if presence matters that we will start to see more and more leaders of color.”

A formal ceremony at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis kicked off Curry’s six-year term, which began Oct. 1. He was ele

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