Our Staff

Church Staff

Pastor Kip Murphy

Pastor Kip is a second-career pastor. He has a Ph.D. in Chemistry and served on the Biochemistry faculty at the University of Iowa from 1993 to 2005 when he resigned to attend the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. Kip has always seen his science as a way of learning about the God who created the natural world, much as you can learn something about an artist from studying his or her art.

Kip brings a love of learning and teaching to his ministry along with a deep love for Scripture. He also has a strong appreciation for our Presbyterian heritage and the Reformed Theology that is so much a part of that heritage.

Kip and his wife, Lee, both grew up in Colorado and lived there until 1990. They have three children, Kevin, Katie, and Ellen. Kip enjoys being in the outdoors including camping, hiking and rock climbing. He also enjoys reading and gardening (especially his roses).

Christian Education Director Denise Hartnett

Denise Hartnett has been the C.E. Director since 1997. She graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Art Ed. with an emphasis on Religion. As a former teacher and children’s librarian she enjoys reading, designing, and creating programs for all ages, She also enjoys reading her Bible, and spending time with God and her family.

Denise, her husband Mark and their children Briana and Shane moved from Idaho to Williamsburg in 1996. In her free time she loves to take walks with her husband, spend time with her children, camp with her extended family and paint whatever needs to be painted.

Secretary/Webmaster Lynda Seehusen
Lynda began work at First Presbyterian in May, 2008. Before working at the church, she spent many years as an MSW, living and working in 4 different states before moving with her family to West Amana, IA in 2004. She enjoys reading, writing, playing word games such as Scrabble and spending time with her family.

First Presbyterian Church

Williamsburg, IA