Barack Obama is resigning his membership in the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago following the reports about controversies over sermons given at the church.

“I make this decision with sadness,” said Sen. Obama, speaking at a news conference. “This is where I found Jesus Christ, where we were married, where our children were baptized. We are proud of the extraordinary works of that church.”

Sen. Obama said he and his wife, Michelle, wrote a letter on Friday to the church’s pastor explaining that their estrangement from the church took root in controversial remarks by the church’s former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., who once was Sen. Obama’s spiritual guide.

“Our relations with Trinity have been strained by the divisive statements of Reverend Wright, which sharply conflict with our own views,” they wrote.

“These controversies have served as an unfortunate distraction for other Trinity members who seek to worship in peace, and have placed you in an untenable position.”

Sen. Obama said he and his wife would search for a new church but probably would not make a decision until after the election in November.