The Reverend Burton Bagby-Grose

A few words from Pastor Burton:

“I love St. Paul's amazing welcoming spirit and commitment to including children. I'm passionate about our determination to be the hands and feet of Christ here on earth by volunteering to serve our community in Christ's name.

"I'm passionate about sharing with today's youth that God loves everyone: gay, straight, pink, purple...."

"And I'm passionate about interfaith dialogue. We're loving all of our neighbors by bringing Muslims, Christians and Jews to the table to eat together and learn together for the first time in Corpus Christi."

"St. Paul is truly a place where spirit, heart, and mind meet.”

Pastor Burton was called as our pastor in 2014. He grew up in Houston and attended Howard Payne University, majoring in public relations and speech with a minor in radio/television. Pastor Burton attended Andover Newton Theological School, the oldest graduate school of theology in America. He majored in pastoral counseling and preaching for his Master of Divinity degree from Andover Newton, a covenantal seminary of the United Church of Christ. He has completed additional studies at Harvard Divinity School.

Prior to coming to St. Paul, Pastor Burton served the South Central Conference of the United Church of Christ as Minister for Communications.

A descendant of colonial clergy in the church that became the United Church of Christ, Pastor Burton loves American history, both early and recent. Pastor Burton and Ron grew to love the snow while attending seminary in New England. 

God has blessed Pastor Burton and his husband Ron with a beautiful daughter named Rosalee. They enjoy travel, hiking and playing with their three Scottish Terriers.

To email Pastor Burton, CLICK HERE.

OUR MUSIC DIRECTOR

Mr. Paul R. Villarreal

A few words from Paul:

Born in Robstown, Paul was an honor graduate and ranked 10th in his senior class. He attended Del Mar College in Corpus Christi where he was the recipient of the Carl Duckwall Memorial Scholarship, the highest music scholarship awarded to a vocal major. 

He studied voice with John Boyer and piano with Joan Allison. He was student conductor of the top college choir at Howard Payne University under Dr. Curtis Hamlett. He attended Interlochen, an international music camp in Interlochen Michigan. Paul has a Bachelor of Music Education and is certified to teach in Texas, New York and New Jersey.

Paul has 25 years experience teaching Pre-K to freshmen in college. Paul has taught in Robstown, Raymondville, Brownsville, Harlingen, San Benito and Pharr-San Juan-Alamo, in Texas as well as Port Washington, New York, and Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Paul says, “It is good to be back near my hometown and near my family. Corpus Christi is so deserving of its nickname as the "Sparkling City by the Sea" and I am honored to be a part of the music ministry at St. Paul United Church of Christ.” 

To email Paul, CLICK HERE.

OUR NURSERY WORKER

Miss Andrea "Annie" Gillespie

Annie loves working with children and has the patience of Job, which is essential to being an effective child care worker. 

We are grateful for her dedication to caring for our children.

Annie is a third generation member of St. Paul.