SOUTHSIDE STAFF
Ministers All Members of Southside
Pastor The Reverend Alison J. Harrington
The Reverend Alison J. Harrington has been the pastor of Southside Presbyterian Church since 2009. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Berkeley and her Master’s of Divinity at San Francisco Theological Seminary.In 2011 she was awarded the Beatitudes Society Brave Preacher Award. In 2013-2014, Alison was a Beatitudes Society Fellow. In the Fall of 2014, Alison was named by the Center for American Progress as one of 15 Faith Leaders to Watch in 2015. In 2016 she was honored as the Distinguished Alumna for SFTS, and most recently was recognized as one of the "10 Women of Faith Leading the Charge Ahead" by Sojourners.
When not working, she is exploring all of the hiking trails behind her home with her two daughters. Contact information: Email
Phone: 520-623-6857
When not working, she is exploring all of the hiking trails behind her home with her two daughters. Contact information: Email
Phone: 520-623-6857
Custodian Robert Johnson
Robert performs cleaning duties in the church buildings and facilities as well as performs minor grounds keeping and related activities.
Pastor Emeritus The Reverend John Fife
John Fife was a member of the original Sanctuary Movement and was a co-founder of the immigrant rights group No More Deaths. He served as a minister for 35 years at Southside Presbyterian Church in Tucson. In 1992 Fife was elected General Moderator of the Presbyterian Church (USA). He is now pastor emeritus at Southside Presbyterian. In the 1980s John Fife co-founded the Sanctuary Movement in the United States. The movement organized over 500 churches to help the refugees cross the border and find sanctuary in the U.S. In 2004 a group of religious leaders in Tucson formed a coalition called No More Deaths to attempt to end the deaths of immigrants along the US/Mexico border. John Fife was among the leaders of that effort and continues to work closely with No More Deaths.
Pastor Emeritus The Reverend Casper Isaiah Glenn
The Reverend Casper Glenn was pastor of Southside from 1956-1964
During his eight years at Southside Presbyterian Church, Rev. Glenn not only served the people of Southside Presbyterian with energy, intelligence, imagination and love but also became the president of the NAACP in Tucson in 1963. He played a crucial role in desegregating, housing, restaurants and other public areas. In this role, he went to court for Black and Indigenous rights. He confronted the police in Tucson in the early 1960’s to stop the brutality which was being perpetrated against Black and Brown people. Southside was a central meeting point for the Civil Rights movement at this time. His wife, Vernilla Turnage Glenn, helped make picket signs and organized, along with others at the church, youth of all races. Though his time at Southside was relatively short, his impact has been long lasting and the love between Southside and Pastor Glenn has been steadfast. You can read our Resolution to Confer the Title of Pastor Emeritus HERE and you can read more about Pastor Glenn HERE.
The Reverend Casper Glenn was pastor of Southside from 1956-1964
During his eight years at Southside Presbyterian Church, Rev. Glenn not only served the people of Southside Presbyterian with energy, intelligence, imagination and love but also became the president of the NAACP in Tucson in 1963. He played a crucial role in desegregating, housing, restaurants and other public areas. In this role, he went to court for Black and Indigenous rights. He confronted the police in Tucson in the early 1960’s to stop the brutality which was being perpetrated against Black and Brown people. Southside was a central meeting point for the Civil Rights movement at this time. His wife, Vernilla Turnage Glenn, helped make picket signs and organized, along with others at the church, youth of all races. Though his time at Southside was relatively short, his impact has been long lasting and the love between Southside and Pastor Glenn has been steadfast. You can read our Resolution to Confer the Title of Pastor Emeritus HERE and you can read more about Pastor Glenn HERE.