Pat Houston Library
Houston Library, named for long-time Rector Lawrence “Pat” Houston, is a collection of books and other materials covering Christianity, other religions, and varieties of spiritual practice, but focused primarily on the Episcopal Church. More than 1,500 volumes, housed in Friendly Hall in the church offices, span more than three thousand years of belief and faith and commentary. Library materials are available through an “open shelf” policy, enabling parishioners to browse and study. Parishioners may borrow materials or use reference material in the library whenever church offices are open.
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Gretchen Hvastkovs
Preschool Director
Gretchen Hvastkovs grew up in California and attended college in Wyoming. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Wyoming in Family and Consumer Sciences. After college, her family relocated to Connecticut before settling in Greenville. Gretchen and her husband are very active with their three children. Prior to moving into the director position, Gretchen was the lead teacher in the two year old room. She looks forward every day to playing, learning, and growing with St. Paul’s Preschool family.
The Rev’d Jen Houser, CoB
Minister for Children, Youth, and Families
Jen Houser grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, attending a nondenominational church where she sang on the worship team, volunteered in the nursery, and attended youth group regularly. Jen graduated from Messiah College (now University) near Harrisburg, PA with a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministries with a concentration in youth ministry and a minor in human development and family science. They graduated from Duke Divinity School with a Master’s of Divinity with a concentration in Christian Education. Jen married Zech in 2016 and they have moved all over the country from Pennsylvania to North Carolina to Indiana to Illinois and now back to North Carolina. Jen and Zech have a ten year old tortico cat named Molly. Jen is an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren (CoB) and has served as a pastor, children’s pastor, youth pastor, librarian, and an archivist.
The Rev’d Josiah Daniels
Associate Rector
Josiah was raised as a pastor’s kid in the Church of the Nazarene. Sensing a call to ministry early on, he studied theology, philosophy, and Greek at Southern Nazarene University in Oklahoma City. He received his Master of Divinity from Duke Divinity School in 2015; joined the Episcopal church at St. Peter’s (Charlotte) in 2016; and received his diploma of Anglican Studies from Virginia Theological Seminary in 2022. He was drawn to the Episcopal Church’s liturgy and its commitment to including those who are often excluded from the fullness of the Church’s life. Josiah and his wife, Riley Beetner, love listening to live music, spending time outside, and debating how many treats their 10-year-old rescue pup, Nilla, deserves.
