Rev Noble McNeely, 63, of First Holywood Presbyterian Church in Co Down, said he was "sincerely humbled" by the appointment.
The Church has 19 presbyteries which met independently across Ireland on Tuesday night to select a successor to current moderator Frank Sellar.
Mr McNeely, one of four candidates, was selected by ten of the presbyteries.
He said on his appointment: "I have served the wider church in a number of roles and I see my nomination as Moderator as another opportunity to serve Christ and His church.
"At the same time, I recognise the responsibility that has been entrusted to me and I pray that with God's help and the prayers of the Church, I will be able to fulfil expectations."
Rev Noble McNeely will be formally elected and installed as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland in June at its Assembly.
He taught craft and design at Deramore High School (now Balmoral High) in Belfast for two years before starting his studies at the Church's Union Theological College in 1978.
After serving as a minister in Belfast for 13 years he then moved back to Co Down in 1997 where he's led a congregation of more than 800 people since.
Commenting on the year ahead, he said: "2017 marks the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.
"During the year I would hope I can emphasise and preach on some of the great principles and doctrines of the Reformation, such as 'Justification by faith alone'."
