Staff

Bridge Interim Pastor – Rev. Dr. A. Vanessa Hawkins

Davie Street Presbyterian Church is in a pastoral transition phase. The Pastor Nominating Committee has been formed and is seeking a permanent pastor. In July 2023, Davie Street welcomed Rev. Dr. A. Vanessa Hawkins as its bridge interim. Rev. Dr. A. Vanessa Hawkins is a teaching elder originally from Henderson, North Carolina. She has served in New Hope Presbytery since 2016 in several capacities and is currently the Bridge Interim for Davie Street. This North Carolinian received her BA degree in English/Media Journalism from North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC; a Master in Christian Education from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA; a Master of Divinity degree from Johnson C. Smith Seminary in Atlanta, GA; and a Diploma in the Art of Spiritual Direction from San Francisco Theological Seminary in San Anselmo, CA.  She recently received a doctoral degree in Practical Theology from the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA.

Rev. Hawkins was ordained in 1998 and is currently a Teaching Elder in New Hope Presbytery. Over the years, she has served as a Presbyterian campus minister, mission partner, pastor, presbytery and denomination staff in the area of congregational support, and was recently the Interim Executive Presbyter of New Hope Presbytery.  As the Bridge Interim for Davie Street, she hopes to support the church’s ministries and members as they endeavor to fulfill their mission and ready themselves for their next installed pastor.

Church Secretary – Mrs. Leah Harris

I have been employed with Davie Street since January of 2015. I am originally from Oxford, NC.  I have an Associate’s degree in Arts, and an Associate’s degree in Office Administration from Vance Granville Community College in Henderson, NC. I am a wife and a mother to my preschooler daughter and newborn/infant son. I enjoy spending time with family.

Music Director – Dr. Candace Laughinghouse

I am the Music Director at Davie Street Presbyterian Church, a historic and diverse congregation in downtown Raleigh, where I direct the music and play both the organ and piano. More recently, I was Assistant Professor of Religious Studies and Director of Spiritual Life at St. Augustine’s University, a historically black university in Raleigh, NC. I have a Ph.D. in Theology from Chicago Theological Seminary, a ThM from Duke Divinity School, and an MDiv from Candler School Of Theology. My core competencies include education, writing, and social justice reform with intentional focus on race, gender and environmental ethics.

Michael Evans – Sexton

Michael is a lifelong member of the church. One of the gifts he brings to the church is by the way that he maintains the building. He grew up in Davie Street Presbyterian church and contributes to several ministries. His family continues to the flourishing of several ministries including choir, mission and outreach, technology, and his daughter is active in the youth ministry.