About

Staff

Rev. Richard T. Gillespie, Th.D.
Pastor/Head of Staff
rtg2087@bellsouth.net

The Rev. Dr. Richard T. Gillespie, Th.D. came to our church in November 2008. Dr. Gillespie (who prefers to be called Richard or Dr. G) grew up as the son of a Presbyterian Minister in the states of Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida. He attended Rhodes College in Memphis for 3 years. He graduated from the University of South Florida with a B.A. in Sociology. He earned his M.Div. degree from Columbia Theological Seminary, and completed his doctoral studies, also at Columbia Seminary, earning the Th.D. degree in the area of pastoral care and counseling.

Dr. Gillespie has served in various aspects of the ministry over his career. His previous experience includes serving for two years as a volunteer in mission for the PCUSA in Zaire (Congo) Africa; ten years as a Pastoral Counselor at the Georgia Association for Pastoral Counseling in Atlanta; six years as Executive Director and Staff Counselor of The Peachtree Counseling Center in Atlanta, and over ten years as pastor of Presbyterian churches in South Carolina and Georgia.

Richard is married to Belva Gillespie and together they have six adult children. The two youngest are attending college in Georgia.

 

Alan Flowers
Director of Music Ministry

Alan Flowers serves as Organist-Choirmaster at the First Presbyterian Church of Florence. He is the founder and director of the Florence Summer Music Theater, an activity of the Florence Recreation Department, and produces and directs a major musical production each summer. He is also involved with the Shoals Community Theater and teaches Music Appreciation and Piano at the University of North Alabama.

 

 

Peggy Willich
Administrative Assistant
psw2087@bellsouth.net

Peggy Willich began serving as our Administrative Assistant at the beginning of 2010, after spending 23 years in a similar position at First Presbyterian, Sheffield. She is married to George Willich, and they have two adult children.

Peggy is a fan of football and loves her Alma Mater’s Deshler Tigers, the Crimson Tide and the New York Giants. In her spare time, she loves to play with her precious grandchildren, read, cook, and tend her flower beds.

 

 

Jerome Thompson
Church Custodian