MATT FALCO

Senior Pastor

Phone: 859-255-1074 ext 105    

Email: matt@maxpres.org

Matt Falco was called as Co-Pastor in December 2016 and became Senior Pastor upon Rev. Berry’s retirement in 2017. Originally from Altoona, PA, Matt comes most recently from being Pastor of the Edinboro Presbyterian Church in Edinboro, Pennsylvania. He earned his Master of Divinity Degree from Austin Seminary in 2010. He completed his B.S. in Civil Engineering at Penn State University and worked in both construction management and residential/commercial site design prior to going to seminary. His passion is backpacking, and he has done wilderness trips in North Carolina, Colorado, and Wyoming with his family, as well as a monthlong Outdoor Educator course in the Yukon, Canada with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). He and his wife Lauren are parents of their two boys, Lucas and Jonah.

Rachel VanKirk Mathews

Associate Pastor

Phone: 859-255-1074 ext  700

Email: rachel@maxpres.org

Rachel was called to Maxwell Street as Associate Pastor in August of 2018 after completing her Master of Divinity in May at Columbia Theological Seminary. Prior to seminary, Rachel completed a B.S. in Electrical Engineering at The University of Alabama. Rachel’s husband, Wesley, studied engineering at Auburn, and they are glad to now have the UK Wildcats to cheer on together. They both enjoy being active outdoors and spending time with their cat, and Rachel hopes to continue growing as a gardener.

Rachel believes the church is called to point to God for every person through accessible worship, a table that nourishes the Spirit and belly, and community that is for and with all. At Maxwell Street, Rachel leads the youth, college group, and young adults in developing community and growing in discipleship, as well as discerning how God is calling Maxwell Street to be a witness and advocate for God’s justice in Lexington and in the world.

Michelle Jones

Director of Children’s Ministry

Phone: 859-255-1074

Email: michelle.jones@maxpres.org

TED GENTRY

Organist and Handbell Director

Phone: 859-255-1074  

Email: ted@maxpres.org

Organist and musicologist, Ted Gentry, earned graduate degrees in musicology and organ performance from Eastern Michigan University and the University of Kentucky. As a musicologist, Ted’s publications include essays on Chopin, Verdi, and Rossini for reference books produced by British publisher Fitzroy Dearborn. Other publications include “Musical Symbols of Death in Tosca” for The Opera Quarterly and “The Origins of Evangelical Pianism” for The Journal of American Music.

Dr. Gentry’s organ performances have twice been featured on the nationally syndicated radio program, “Pipe Dreams.” He has recorded with the Americus label on a joint album with trumpeter Ian Pearson, titled “The Festive Trumpet.” In addition to recitals, he has performed with the Lexington Chamber Orchestra and the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra. For more than 25 years, he has served various churches as organist, conductor, and music director. When not involved in music, Ted’s interests include gardening, theology, and all things related to Tolkien and C. S. Lewis.

BETH WILSON

Choir Director

Phone: 859-255-1074  

Email:beth@maxpres.org

Elizabeth (Beth) L. Wilson, A.B.D., is happy to join the staff of Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church as Choir Director. In addition to her work here, Beth just wrapped up her second year as adjunct professor of choral music at the University of Kentucky. There she serves as Conductor of UK Choristers, teaches courses in vocal music methods and conducting, supervises student teachers, and also works as faculty advisor for Paws & Listen. Prior to coming to UK to pursue her doctoral degree, Beth worked as Director of Women’s Choir/Voice Instructor at Georgia Institute of Technology. Before serving at Georgia Tech, she was Choral Director for both Pope and Wheeler High Schools (Cobb County, GA) for a total of nine years. Beth earned a bachelor of music in music education from the University of Georgia and a master of music in choral conducting from Georgia State University. After completing her studies at GSU, Beth worked for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra as Director of Student Musician Development for three years. She maintains active memberships in both NAfMe and ACDA and has held leadership roles in both the state of GA and the Southern Division of ACDA and currently serves on the KYACDA Board as R&S Chair for Colleges/Universities. Beth happily resides in Lexington with her husband, Ken, and their two children, Drew and Anna.

KATE COPLEY

Office Manager

Phone: 859-255-1074 ext 103    

Email: kate@maxpres.org

After leading Veggie Town VBS and launching Godly Play Children’s Church, Kate began working at MSPC in 2000. She is married to Rich, communications specialist for the Presbyterian Church, and together they have two children. Kate taught high school language arts in Georgia prior to motherhood and moving to Lexington in the late 90s.  She enjoys baking, creating healthy recipes, reading, and watching interesting movies.  Kate, along with Pam, love planning and  preparing meals at MSPC.

TISH PLATT

Community Assistance Coordinator

Phone: 859-255-1074 ext 119    

Emergency Assistance Phone: 859-233-0723

Email: tish@maxpres.org

Tish is an RN and Certified Case Manager (CCM) with a long history of community nursing working side by side with social workers throughout her career. Her most recent employment was in the community as a Geriatric case manager.  She is a native of Louisville and has lived in Lexington for the past 40 years.  She is a graduate of Midway College and the University of Kentucky. In addition to joining MSPC in the interim social worker position, Tish also enjoys volunteering at Mission Health Lexington in both the clinic and in the pharmacy. 

MICHELLE GARDNER

Finance Director

Phone: 859-255-1074 ext 109    

Email: michelle@maxpres.org

Michelle Gardner is responsible for the financial aspects of the church, including the operating budget, contributions, financial reporting, and payroll. She has an undergrad degree from Georgetown College and master’s degrees from U.K. and Indiana University. Michelle has held administrative positions in three Lexington and Louisville arts organizations, the University of Kentucky library, and the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. She has worked at the church for over ten years. Michelle is married to Jim. They have a son, Will, who lives in Lexington with his wife Sonia and their son.

PAM BOLDT

Church & Facilities Manager

Phone: 859-255-1074 ext 109    

Email: pam@maxpres.org

Pam Boldt is the Church and Facilities Manager.  Pam’s employment at MSPC started in 1987 with the Mother’s Morning Out Program.  In l998, she began working full-time as the director of the daycare, nursery school and Sunday church nursery.   Her most recent position with MSPC as Church & Facilities Manger became effective in 2012, and has included oversight of the building and grounds, coordination of outside groups, facilitation of weddings and other special events, all of which Pam has taken on with enthusiasm and skill. She also shares the responsibilities of cooking and serving meals for the congregational and neighborhood meals with Kate Copley. Pam is married to Joe and they have two sons–Josh and Adam.

MARRIANNE RUSSELL

Communications Director

Phone: 859-255-1074 ext 111    

Email: marrianne@maxpres.org

Marrianne is originally from Detroit, MI. She and her husband  made the venture to Lexington in May of 2012. She has a BFA in Graphic Design from Eastern Michigan University.  Marrianne is responsible for creating print, web and social media items here at Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church.  She enjoys country life, art and design, cooking, gardening, anything vintage, and doing yoga. She has a wonderful husband Greg and two beautiful children.

WOODY BERRY

Pastor Emeritus

 Woody Berry served Maxwell Street as Pastor (2004-2016), was Co-Pastor with Matt Falco (2016-2017), and now is Pastor Emeritus, an honorary title given by the congregation on his retirement.