Staff and Leadership

The Staff and Wardens of Christ Church

Priest
The Rev. Paul Barker

The Rev. Paul Barker serves Christ Episcopal Church as Priest. Fr. Paul was ordained Priest on June 17, 2023 at Christ Church. Fr. Paul previously served at St. Paul’s, Kittanning, Pennsylvania and St. Paul’s, Mt. Lebanon, PA through the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Before being ordained Deacon in May 2021, Paul served as Youth Director at St. Paul’s, Mt. Lebanon for 8 years, during which time, he brought several mission teams into the Bluefield and McDowell County area. He completed his ordinal formation studies through the Diocese of Southern Ohio and the Church Divinity School of the Pacific. Paul graduated from Virginia Tech a long time ago with a degree in History and a minor in Geography. He was in sales and management for 14 years before becoming a Social Studies teacher and football coach. After 13 years in education, he began his work towards full time ministry.

Pastor Paul has two adult children, Blaine and Harriss. Blaine is working in the world of business in Pittsburgh and Harriss is an officer in the US Army stationed in Texas. Paul lives in Bluefield with his two dogs, Monty, a border collie, and Jack, a terrier mix rescued from McDowell County Humane Society. Paul enjoys reading, history and reenacting, hikes and trips to the beach.