First Presbyterian Church Staff
Rev. Jim McCrea is a graduate of West High School in Waterloo, Iowa, and the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts with Distinction degree in English in 1976. After holding a series of full-time and freelance writing positions, he felt called to attend the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, where he studied between September 1989 and December 1991. During that time, he served as the solo Student Pastor at the First Presbyterian Church in Hazleton, Iowa. After receiving his Masters of Divinity degree, Rev. McCrea was called to the First Presbyterian Church of Galena in April 1992. As a professional freelance writer, his work has been published in such national magazines as Better Homes & Gardens, Northwest Airlines WorldTraveler, Mature Outlook and Currents. He's currently at work on an original commentary on the Old Testament book, Song of Solomon. He is also a magician with a membership in the International Brotherhood of Magicians, as well as having written two books on magic performance.
Rev. Jim McCrea is a graduate of West High School in Waterloo, Iowa, and the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts with Distinction degree in English in 1976. After holding a series of full-time and freelance writing positions, he felt called to attend the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, where he studied between September 1989 and December 1991. During that time, he served as the solo Student Pastor at the First Presbyterian Church in Hazleton, Iowa. After receiving his Masters of Divinity degree, Rev. McCrea was called to the First Presbyterian Church of Galena in April 1992. As a professional freelance writer, his work has been published in such national magazines as Better Homes & Gardens, Northwest Airlines WorldTraveler, Mature Outlook and Currents. He's currently at work on an original commentary on the Old Testament book, Song of Solomon. He is also a magician with a membership in the International Brotherhood of Magicians, as well as having written two books on magic performance.
Choir Director
and Pianist
Jean Dregne
Jean was born and raised in Milwaukee Wisconsin. She started to take piano lessons at age 5. She was the accompanist for the choirs while attending Washington High School in Milwaukee. Upon graduation from high school she attended North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, where she earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree. She taught elementary vocal music in Waterford Wisconsin from 1964-1966. She sang with the Chicago Lyric Opera/Chorus from 1962 through 1967. She moved to Janesville, Wisconsin in 1967 and took several years off to raise her family. In 1972 she started her teaching career at Edison Middle School in Janesville Wisconsin and retired from there in 2002. During those years she earned her Masters degree in Education from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She moved to Galena in 2006 and found First Presbyterian Church shortly after that.
I moved to Galena when Jerry and I were married in 2011. I was born and raised in Nebraska but life changes moved me further East and finally I’ve settled in beautiful Galena. While I’ve had several different jobs and careers, my favorite one has been and continues to be a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant along with church treasurer and secretary. I have the flexibility to be available for my family and my church, which are my life! We are blessed with 3 amazing kids and 3 even more amazing granddaughters. In my spare time I enjoy traveling with Jerry, antiquing and reconditioning cast iron.
Financial Secretary
and Secretary
Kimberly Howard
Mary was born and raised in Galena, Illinois. She has had her own janitorial business for over 10 years. When her son Tyler is available, he helps her with her business. For the last five years she has worked seven days a week. With her daily schedule she really doesn't have time for much else. Mary's plan is to continue with her janitorial business for many more years.
Custodian
Mary Halstead
Current Church Session
Nan Colin
Dan Harms
Michelle Harris
Jerry Howard
Alice Lundh
Ron Pearson
Current Church Trustees
Jeff Finley
Mel Halstead
Kimberly Howard
Bev Mellskog
Bob Singleton
Carol Wrabl