Meet Our Staff

"For me to be a saint means to be myself. Therefore the problem of sanctity and salvation is in fact the problem of finding out who I am and discovering my true self."

- Thomas Merton 

As someone who has been called to serve God throughout his life, Rev. Stephen C. Blonder Adams proudly and faithfully serves as the thirteenth Senior Pastor at The First Presbyterian Church in Cleveland.

Pastor Stephen first came to The First Presbyterian Church in Cleveland in 1989, as Interim Associate Pastor, fresh out of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. At the completion of that Interim period, he went on to serve as Stated Supply Pastor of the Old Brooklyn Presbyterian Church, then later serving as Interim/Gap Pastor for Plymouth Church of Shaker, Archwood UCC, Lyndhurst Community of Faith, and again at The First Presbyterian Church in Cleveland. 

Until 2011, when PCUSA allowed for the full inclusion of openly gay clergy,  a pastor who is gay was not able to be fully out in the denomination. Even with the support of the church and many within the Presbytery, Pastor Stephen was restricted from accepting a call to a church as a settled pastor.

Building on his undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Art, and Masters in Divinity,  and the completion of four units of CPE, Pastor Stephen went into hospice work full-time. This also gave him the opportunity to serve The First Presbyterian Church in Cleveland once again as a part-time Parish Associate for many years.

In 2022, during a national search for a full-time Senior Pastor at The First Presbyterian Church in Cleveland, Pastor Stephen was unanimously nominated by The First Presbyterian Church in Cleveland's Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC), and elected by the congregation on July 17th 2022, to serve as Senior Pastor. Pastor Stephen was officially installed on October 23rd. 

Pastor Stephen lives with his husband, H Bruce Blonder, in the Cleveland Heights neighborhood, where among their many hobbies and passions are gardening, art, singing, and caring for their Century home together. 

Pastor Denise, ordained by the Presbyterian Church, USA, retired from full-time ministry in June this year after nearly 20 years, first at Faith United Church of Christ in New Cumberland, PA then at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Peoria.

Ministry is a second career for Denise. She graduated from Duke University with a degree in Psychology, then received a Master’s degree in clinical psychology at Loyola University in Baltimore, MD and did further graduate work in Baltimore at The Johns Hopkins School of Public Health in Maternal and Child Health. After a few years at home with her first two children, she worked as an Elementary School Counselor in Lynchburg, VA. After son, William began school, she began seminary near their home in Hershey, PA at Lancaster Theological Seminary of the United Church of Christ. She graduated in 2004.

Pastor Denise and her husband Tom Clark-Jones, a church organist and choir director, moved to Solon, Ohio to be closer to family. Their daughter, Jillian, lives with her husband, Dan, and two children, James and Lilly in Solon. Their daughter Jenna and granddaughter, Amelia, live in Brooklyn, NY and their son, William lives in Binghamton, NY. Denise and Tom are enjoying the Fine Arts resources in the Cleveland area, especially the music! Tom is currently serving as the interim organist at another church in the area.

Although retired, Pastor Denise still felt called to serve the church in whatever capacity she could fill a need. After deciding to make The First Presbyterian Church in Cleveland her church, Pastor Stephen and the Session invited her to serve part-time, as a Parish Associate. Her work includes visitations, bible study, occasionally leading worship and doing whatever pastoral duties are needed to support Pastor Stephen and the congregation.

The First Presbyterian Church's Pastor's Assistant, Anthony, has had a multi-faceted career path. From an Elementary School teacher in Akron following graduation from Kent State University to a Modern Dancer in New York City, where he studied with the Erik Hawkins Dance Company.

Anthony's time in NY helped develop a sense of design that, with his love of sewing, allowed him to build a business as a Private Tailor/Dressmaker and Interior Designer. Currently, Anthony owns AKastellic Vesture, a fabricator of Ecclesiastical Vestments and Paraments.

An active Episcopalian, Anthony belongs to the Vergers Guild of the Episcopal Church, as well as a Lay Reader, Eucharistic Minister, Acolyte, and sits on the Property Committee of his parish church. Anthony is married and lives in Shaker Heights with his husband, Peter, where they enjoy cooking, entertaining, gardening, and reading with their two cats, Naomi and Boaz.

Since 2018, Steve has served The First Presbyterian Church in Cleveland as its Building Steward, assisting with custodial duties and general maintenance of our Parish House and Sanctuary.

During Sunday Worship service, Steve assists congregants with parking and is often present for special events, which take place on weekends or weekday evenings. 

In his free time, Steve enjoys cooking, camping, and fishing. 

A seasoned media professional with experience building studios and directing worship media across Northeast Ohio, Mike Murphy joins The First Presbyterian Church in Cleveland staff. Along with these experiences, Mike has been lead video editor/director with many high-profile clients, such as Kay Jewelers “Every Kiss Begins with Kay,” and Glidden Ralph Lauren paints.

 In his new position, Mike will be responsible for The First Presbyterian Church in Cleveland's streaming of Sunday worship services.

Mike volunteers with Miracle City Hospice, The March of Dimes March for Babies initiative, and the National Alliance for Mental Illness Walkathon.

Living in Broadview Heights with his wife Bridget, his son, Mike is married and living in Old Brooklyn with Mike’s grandson, Isaiah while Mike’s daughter, Kathleen lives in sunny San Diego, California.

Michael is a 1981 graduate of the Electronic Technology Institute in Cleveland. For 25 years, he worked in the field of electronics, primarily as a quality assurance technician/troubleshooter, but has also been involved with the fabrication of specialty electronic equipment. He has worked for various companies, including S.E. Ross Laboratories, Gould Defense Electronics, Lear Siegler/Lucas Aerospace, L.A.D. Technology, and Stanley Air Tools, all in the greater Cleveland area.

For the last 13-plus years, he has been a Staff Assistant at The First Presbyterian Church in Cleveland, working for and with the Main Staff, the Mission and Urban Wellness Committee, the Board of Deacons, and other Church-related groups. He enjoys music, reading, cooking, and going for walks.

Tom is a marketing and communications professional with more than 20 years of experience working for nonprofit organizations, including Playhouse Square and Dance Cleveland, as well as managing his own agency, Spruce, where he helped lead marketing and communications efforts for dozens of Northeast Ohio-based nonprofit organizations.

At The First Presbyterian Church in Cleveland, Tom is responsible for leading efforts to serve the Cleveland community, foster and grow the congregation, and provide support to The First Presbyterian Church in Cleveland's committees to positively impact the community. 

Tom has served on the Board of Directors for Cleveland Print Room, Seeds of Literacy, and Vice President of American Marketing Association's Northeast Ohio chapter.

Tom lives in Lakewood with his family. 

Frank is a building manager with over 35 years of experience managing several downtown Cleveland buildings of various sizes up to 450,000 square feet.

At The First Presbyterian Church in Cleveland, Frank works with the Directors, Session, and the Senior Pastor to make improvements, upgrades, and repairs to the properties. Budgets, through the 23 years here, have ranged from $55,000 to $790,000 per year, with $160,000 being an average.

Frank lives in Parma Hts. with his two daughters, Maia and Paige. Hobbies include boating, hiking, camping, and home improvements.