Rev. Jessica Rigel, Pastor
Rev. Jessica Rigel is delighted to serve as the Pastor of Warren Wilson Presbyterian Church, which she joined in the Spring of 2026. Originally from New Jersey, Jess earned her B.A. from Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, VA in 2007, where she majored in both English and Religion. Following college, Jess served twice as a PC(USA) Young Adult Volunteer in Tucson and New Orleans, and taught 8th grade Language Arts in Benson, Arizona before accepting the call to Princeton Theological Seminary. She graduated from PTS in 2018 with a Master of Divinity, a Master of Arts in Christian Education focused on Youth and Young Adult Faith Formation, and a Certificate in Ecology, Theology, and Faith Formation. Before coming to WWPC, she served as the Discipleship Pastor at Alamance Presbyterian Church in Greensboro, NC for nearly 8 years.
Jess loves exploring creativity in worship, the witness of prophetic preaching, and finding new ways to engage the college & community in the work of the Spirit. She also enjoys reading, tap dancing, traveling, making things with her hands, and spending time with her two lovely (but often loud!) Pembroke Welsh corgis.
Andrew Tripp, Church Administrator
Andrew was born in Georgia, where he lived until moving to Swannanoa in 2007. He comes to Warren Wilson Presbyterian from a somewhat varied career in music, education, and ministry.
When Andrew isn’t at work he likes to spend time with his grown children or with his partner and their large collection of furry companions. He also enjoys getting lost in some work of fiction or trying to remember how to play one of his too-often ignored instruments. Mostly Andrew is grateful to get to live in this beautiful area and really enjoys just appreciating the family, friends, nature, and food that are thankfully so abundant.
Ted Stewart, Director of Music
Organist/Choir Director Ted Stewart retired to Swannanoa in 2016 after 40 years of music making in Independence, MO. He served there and in Kansas City as music director at Immanuel Lutheran Church, many years as a regular organ recitalist at the Auditorium, leader in the American Guild of Organist Chapter (from which he holds the AssociateAGO certificate) and being a Board member, director and teacher at Music/Arts Institute.
He has been happy to continue playing as a substitute church organist in the Asheville area. His early organ study was at Ohio State University, Southern Illinois University and post graduate work at the University of Kansas. In Swannanoa he is HOA Board President for the nearby Craggy View Cottages, and is happy to be the Music Director at Warren Wilson Presbyterian Church.
Barbara Escalante, Bookkeeper
Barbara Escalante has served as bookkeeper since 2017. She and her husband, Ed, have three adult children, all of whom live in North Carolina. Her five-year old granddaughter is the light of her life.
Barbara has a long interest in genealogy, and has recently become connected with Coming to the Table, an organization that addresses wounds caused by racism, rooted in the United States’ history of slavery. Barbara hopes to help individuals research their families’ histories with the intent of seeking to repair historic injustice.