LEADERSHIP AND STAFF
Vincent Bache III, Director of Music and Organist
Vincent Bache III spent his childhood in Mobile, Alabama where he studied the piano from an early age. Moving with his family to Natchez in the mid-seventies, he continued studies in piano and organ, being appointed Organ Scholar at Trinity Episcopal Church the last two years of High School. He attended the University of South Alabama pursuing a degree in Piano Performance, with subsequent studies at St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas and The Juilliard School in New York City. He has played piano concertos with four major orchestras, and been heard in recital at the organ in multiple venues through the Southeast, Midwest and Northeast throughout his long career. He has served as Chair of the Training Courses Committee for the Royal School of Church Music in America receiving the International Award from the RSCM in England for his dedicated service, and currently serves as President of the Music Arts League of Natchez, a local music club.
Rev. Chase Caldwell, Associate Pastor
Chase was installed as associate pastor in early 2024. A Natchez native, Chase pastored alongside his wife the Rev. Brittany Caldwell for several years in Texas and North Carolina before returning home. Chase is involved in a wide range of the church’s ministries, including leading the FPC Youth Group and singing in the Sanctuary Choir. Chase holds the M.Div. degree from George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University, and is currently pursuing his D.Min through Campbell University Divinity School.
Rev. Dr. Joan W. Gandy, Senior Pastor
Joan began her call at First Presbyterian Natchez on January 1, 2018. However, her history with the church extends many years before that. She was baptized at First Presbyterian and her faith was formed at FPC Natchez. Prior to leaving her hometown to pursue the Master of Divinity degree, she was an elder and worship leader at First Presbyterian Natchez. Before returning to Natchez, Joan served for about seven years as solo pastor at a church in East Tennessee. Joan holds the M.Div. and D.Min degrees from Columbia Theological Seminary.
Joan's statement of faith includes this statement of her belief in God's timeless call to the Church and God's expectations of the work of the Church in the world: "God gathers people as the Church, equipping them through Christ in the Holy Spirit to exhibit God’s kingdom to the world through worship, fellowship; and through acts of love, justice, and hospitality. The faithful and caring deeds of the Church in the world are acts of gratitude for God’s benevolence and are testimony to God’s promise of redemption and life eternal. God calls every generation to pass on the faith as a God-given inheritance."
Office Administrator:
Pam McNeil
Playschool Director:
Aretha Davis
Financial Secretary:
Mary Ann Peoples
Sexton:
Deon Buford
ELDERS AND SESSION MINISTRIES:
Rosemary Hall - Clerk of Session and Finance
Danna Mooney - Assistant Clerk of Session
George Bates - Mission
Stratton Bull - Finance
Bobby Meason - Finance
Jay Fitch - Finance
Helen Smith - Finance and Education
Chuck Borum - Education
Cara Moody - Worship
Mary Lessley - Worship
Marc Doyle - Digital Communications
Sammy Gore - Congregational Development
Sandra Burkes - Congregational Development
Anne Vidal Suen - Property
DEACONS:
Kristen Abney - Moderator
Everette Ratcliffe
Hubert Smith
Edie Christian
Rusty Jenkins
Randy Smith
Leigh Anderson
Ken Price
