RED WING — A Red Wing pastor has resigned from his church after being charged with soliciting a prostitute last week in Ramsey County.

Sixty-year-old Gary Elg was cited July 25 for allegedly exchanging money for sex with an undercover officer in St. Paul.

Elg has been First Presbyterian Church’s only pastor for the past 23 years. According to a letter mailed to the church’s 350 members, Elg called for a special meeting on July 26 and submitted his resignation.

In the letter, the church’s governing board says it was “stunned” and accepted the resignation.

A St. Paul police spokesman said the citation was for a misdemeanor charge.

Elg declined comment when reached by phone Wednesday night. His first court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 10.