About us
our History:
Westminster has roots in the Presbyterian Church of the United States. We are part of the John Calvin Presbytery and attend events held by the PCUSA throughout the year, sending students, staff, and adults. To learn more about the Presbyterian Church, click the link below.
Our church has been a pillar in the greater Springfield area since 1864. Our current building was constructed in the 1960s, making it one of the four 'faces' of Westminster since its origin. Today, Westminster is a diverse community of believers brought together by the transforming grace of Jesus Christ.
our leadership:
Rev. Micki Pulleyking, PhD
Pastor
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Micki is a “preacher and a teacher”; she calls the church the "grace of her life" (in spite of the reality that the church she grew up in would not allow her to preach because of her gender) and the university classroom is her "sanctuary". Micki earned her Master of Divinity degree in New Testament, and Gender Studies from Harvard University and her PhD in Philosophy of Religion at Boston University.
Dr. Mick also earned a premier degree from the University of Strasbourg, France, having been awarded the Rotary International Fellowship. Studying in London, Strasbourg and traveling the world for more than a year, opened her heart and mind to the beauty of this earth and all of the humans who inhabit it.
Pastor Micki is a certified grief therapist with a heart of compassion. She has mourned the deaths of her child, mom, dad, and her God idea. Micki’s favorite title is being mom—to two twenty somethings—Spenser and Quinlan. She loves life--where in the impossible we find our hope.
Pianist
Joe Emery
Youth Director
Joe is a student at Missouri State University and will soon complete his degree in Religious Studies. He moved to Springfield in 2019 from St. Louis. Joe enjoys doing livestream at Westminster and attending events with the youth group.
Alberta Smith
Choir Director
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Alberta L. Smith is a highly respected singer and choir director whose experience ranges from performances at the Missouri Music Educators Conference to Carnegie Hall. Alberta has served as a professional choral director for the past forty four years, in settings as diverse as a large urban school in St. Louis, to a rural setting in central Missouri, to a graduate assistant position with Dr. Guy B. Webb of Missouri State University, to a twenty nine year tenure with the Springfield R-12 School District.
Alberta holds degrees from Southwest Baptist University (B. M. in Education) and Missouri State University (M. A. in Music Education). She continues to serve her district and state organizations working extensively with both middle school and high school vocal music programs. Alberta is an active member of MMEA, NAfME, ACDA and MCDA where she served as District Coordinator and Resource Chair for Two Year Colleges. Alberta also serves a a grant reader for the Missouri Council of the Arts.
In addition to her professional responsibilities, Alberta just finished 10 years at Ozarks Technical Community College as Choir Director. Alberta has been involved at the Springfield Landers Theatre since 1972, serving as actor, director and vocal coach. She has served as choir director with church choirs throughout her career. She is thrilled to continue her choral journey as Choir Director at Westminster Presbyterian Church.
Kevin Williams is a Springfieldian graduating from Parkview High School in 1983. He attended Missouri State University and graduated in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in vocal music education. Kevin later completed a master’s degree in music education in 1994. He began his teaching career in Cabool Missouri in 1987, but soon returned to MSU to serve for two years as graduate assistant for Dr. Guy Webb in choral studies. Kevin then entered the Springfield Public School system with teaching time spent at Cherokee Middle School and Glendale High School. Outside of the Springfield Public Schools, Kevin also taught in other districts including the St. Louis area for four years. In 2020 he retired from the public schools after teaching the last ten years at Republic High School.
Kevin’s music work also extended outside the school, staying very active in church music and the community all of his life. He spent 17 years serving the congregation of National Avenue Christian Church. He served in a variety of musical capacities there, including vocal soloist, children’s choir director, choir director, handbell director, and general music director. Kevin also worked with the Springfield Regional Opera in the 1990’s performing character roles and serving as chorus master.
Besides teaching, playing piano, and other musical activities; Kevin enjoys great music (especially the music of Gustav Mahler), weather watching, great movies, and health & fitness. True to the core however, is his deep seated desire to be useful and helpful to others in any way. This involves, but is not limited to helping young music students and enhancing worship for the people of the church. Kevin is currently working for Logan-Rogersville Middle School and High School as accompanist, while maintaining his official teacher retirement.
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