Revd Calum MacLeod was voted in by the congregation at St Giles' in Edinburgh and says he's "humbled and honoured".
He moves from the Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago after 16 years there and replaces Very Revd Dr Gilleasbuig Macmillan.
The 46-year-old who's taking up his first post as a minister in Scotland, said: "I am humbled and honoured to have been selected.
"This historic and important church in the heart of Edinburgh has, I believe, a vital role to play in the life of the city and the nation at this critical time for our country and on into the future.
"Having served a large Presbyterian church in the centre of Chicago for the past sixteen years it is an exciting time to return, with my wife Missy, to my homeland and the Church of Scotland, which nurtured me and trained me for ministry."
St Giles' Cathedral, also known as the High Kirk of Edinburgh, is the principal place of worship of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh.
At the height of the Scottish Reformation the Protestant leader John Knox was chosen minister at St Giles' by Edinburgh's Town Council.