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
Music Director Kevin Hamilton
Mr. Hamilton is an accomplished and dedicated musician who is rooted in Black Gospel Music. He has had over 30 years of professional church music department leadership which has included experience as a music leader with a special expertise in choral conducting, choral arranging and performance.
In his work he has been able to work with some of the most influential Gospel recording artists and organizations in the Gospel Music Industry.
With his wife, he established a music production firm in 2006 called
Southwest Soul Circuit (SWSC), which produces studio recordings for production clients, in-house productions, and promotes live events. Through SWSC, they have produced many projects and have produced over 1,000 live events over the past 23 years in Tucson, Arizona.
Here in Tucson he has worked in a variety of churches through the years and has lead the Tucson Chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America and is well know in both the church community as well as the greater community.
He is someone who has dedicated his life and work to God and we could not be more excited to have him join us at Southside.
Mr. Hamilton is an accomplished and dedicated musician who is rooted in Black Gospel Music. He has had over 30 years of professional church music department leadership which has included experience as a music leader with a special expertise in choral conducting, choral arranging and performance.
In his work he has been able to work with some of the most influential Gospel recording artists and organizations in the Gospel Music Industry.
With his wife, he established a music production firm in 2006 called
Southwest Soul Circuit (SWSC), which produces studio recordings for production clients, in-house productions, and promotes live events. Through SWSC, they have produced many projects and have produced over 1,000 live events over the past 23 years in Tucson, Arizona.
Here in Tucson he has worked in a variety of churches through the years and has lead the Tucson Chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America and is well know in both the church community as well as the greater community.
He is someone who has dedicated his life and work to God and we could not be more excited to have him join us at Southside.
Custodian Robert Johnson
Robert performs cleaning duties in the church buildings and facilities as well as performs minor grounds keeping and related activities.
Front Office Jordan Allegro
Jordan is primarily the assistant to the Pastor, he also is the point of contact with the church via email and phone.
Nursery Attendant Hannah Brunson
Hi! My name is Hannah! I am originally from Charleston, South Carolina but just recently moved to Tucson! I am a dental assistant at a local dentist office and love what I do. In my free time I like to paint, read, and spend time with those closest to me. I come from a large family and have many years of experience working with kids. I am looking forward to being a part of this community & finding a family away from home!
Hi! My name is Hannah! I am originally from Charleston, South Carolina but just recently moved to Tucson! I am a dental assistant at a local dentist office and love what I do. In my free time I like to paint, read, and spend time with those closest to me. I come from a large family and have many years of experience working with kids. I am looking forward to being a part of this community & finding a family away from home!
Youth Director JT Thornton
JT brings with him a wealth of experience and gifts. He graduated Cum Laude from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh with his Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and is currently working on his Masters of Arts in Education at the U of A.
While living in Milwaukee, he oversaw 14 federally funded K-12 Before and After School Programs as Recreation Supervisor. In this role he supported site coordinators in operating their program by aiding grant support and program development to ensure quality services for the student body; trained and organized trainings for 52 Before and After school sites, which hosted 200+ childcare employees to further equip them with youth development professional skills; and assessed and evaluated program operations and services quarterly to ensure grant compliance and for site/program improvement.
He also worked for the YMCA of Greater Waukesha (in Milwaukee) as a Site Supervisor where he cultivated a safe learning and program environment for a 75-person center for youth ages 4-12 and programmed academic and recreational enrichment activities to support the growth and development of student participants.
He also has worked for the Boys and Girls Club as a Tutor and Youth Development Professional and in this role he organized youth advocacy resources and programs to encourage teens to engage in advocating for student centered changes and spearheaded project-based learning within the community to provide experiential learning for teens. He also mentored teens with various social, academic, financial, relationship problems by developing trusting relationships with youth participants.
JT brings with him a wealth of experience and gifts. He graduated Cum Laude from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh with his Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and is currently working on his Masters of Arts in Education at the U of A.
While living in Milwaukee, he oversaw 14 federally funded K-12 Before and After School Programs as Recreation Supervisor. In this role he supported site coordinators in operating their program by aiding grant support and program development to ensure quality services for the student body; trained and organized trainings for 52 Before and After school sites, which hosted 200+ childcare employees to further equip them with youth development professional skills; and assessed and evaluated program operations and services quarterly to ensure grant compliance and for site/program improvement.
He also worked for the YMCA of Greater Waukesha (in Milwaukee) as a Site Supervisor where he cultivated a safe learning and program environment for a 75-person center for youth ages 4-12 and programmed academic and recreational enrichment activities to support the growth and development of student participants.
He also has worked for the Boys and Girls Club as a Tutor and Youth Development Professional and in this role he organized youth advocacy resources and programs to encourage teens to engage in advocating for student centered changes and spearheaded project-based learning within the community to provide experiential learning for teens. He also mentored teens with various social, academic, financial, relationship problems by developing trusting relationships with youth participants.
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.