Visiting Clergy
The Rev. Dr. Claire Ripley joined the pastoral team of First Presbyterian Church in Greenville, SC on December 1, 2015. Her primary responsibilities are leadership and oversight of Discipleship Ministries.
Claire graduated from the University of South Florida in 1986 (B.S. in Finance) and worked in corporate lending for many years. After recovering from serious health challenges, and as a response to God’s gracious love and care, she left the banking world in 2003 to become a full-time Congregational Care volunteer at First Presbyterian Church, Greenville, SC. It was here that she sensed God’s call into ordained ministry, serving as Membership Development Director (2004-2009) while attending seminary. Claire received a Masters of Divinity degree from Erskine Theological Seminary in 2010. A highlight was studying Reformation Church History at Martin Luther’s residence and Preaching Seminary in Wittenberg, Germany.
Prior to returning to FPC, she served Westminster Presbyterian Church in Spartanburg, SC, as Associate Pastor for Spiritual Growth. Discipleship and Spiritual formation are her passions. In 2020, Claire received a Doctor of Ministry degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
Claire and her husband, Todd, have one adult daughter.
