Meet Our Staff
Who We Are
Our Team & Leadership
Ben Melli –
Pastor
Rev. Ben Melli is married to Kristin and they are blessed with three children; Normandie, Baxter, and Kyria. Both Ben and Kristin were born in California and have lived in various places until landing in the Creston area of the Flathead valley in 2019. Kristin serves the valley as a Primary care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Ben received his pastoral education (M.Div) from Westminster seminary and serves as the pulpit supply pastor here at 1st Presbyterian Church in Whitefish.
Alma Ramlow –
Music Director
Alma was born in Pasadena, California. She lived in eight different towns between North Dakota, Montana, Alaska and Washington, all places where her Dad pastored churches. Alma is the oldest of four children. She began playing the piano for church at the age of nine and never stopped.
Alma graduated from East Anchorage High School in 1971 and from Seattle Pacific University in 1976 with a B.A. in Elementary Music Education. She and her husband, Jim, met in Whitefish and were married in 1978. …
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They added Bruce to their family in 1992 and Hugh in 1995.
Many good opportunities to play piano for worship and to accompany choirs and singers have come Alma’s way. She feels blessed to serve as music director at First Presbyterian Church since 2014, rehearsal accompanist for Glacier Chorale, an accompanist at Flathead Valley Community College and accompanist for Whitefish High School and Whitefish Middle School choirs.
Ben Melli –
Pastor
Rev. Ben Melli is married to Kristin and are blessed with three children; Normandie, Baxter, and
Kyria. Both Ben and Kristin were born in California and have lived in various places until
landing in the Creston area of the Flathead valley in 2019. Kristin serves the valley as a Primary
care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Ben received his pastoral education (M.Div) from Westminster
seminary and serves as the pulpit supply pastor here at 1st Presbyterian Church in Whitefish.
Alma Ramlow –
Music Director
Alma was born in Pasadena, California. She lived in eight different towns between North Dakota, Montana, Alaska and Washington, all places where her Dad pastored churches. Alma is the oldest of four children. She began playing the piano for church at the age of nine and never stopped.
Alma graduated from East Anchorage High School in 1971 and from Seattle Pacific University in 1976 with a B.A. in Elementary Music Education. She and her husband, Jim, met in Whitefish and were married in 1978. …
READ MORE
They added Bruce to their family in 1992 and Hugh in 1995.
Many good opportunities to play piano for worship and to accompany choirs and singers have come Alma’s way. She feels blessed to serve as music director at First Presbyterian Church since 2014, rehearsal accompanist for Glacier Chorale, an accompanist at Flathead Valley Community College and accompanist for Whitefish High School and Whitefish Middle School choirs.
Nichole Grant –
Office Manager
Nichole Grant is happy to have found her Church Home in First Presbyterian Church Whitefish. She and her husband, Mason, decided to settled in Whitefish in 2019 after Mason retired from the US Navy.
They have two boys, Jack and Chase, who have found their love of skiing and rock climbing since moving here. Nichole grew up in a rural farming and mining community in northern New York. She has a degree in Biology …
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and enjoyed being a middle school science teacher before moving around the country due to her husband’s career. As a family they enjoy skiing, mountain biking, camping and traveling. Nichole also has a passion for gardening and hiking. You will find her in the church office Tuesday- Friday from 9-1. Stop in to say hi or with any questions you may have.
Joy Alfieri –
Director of Children and Family Ministry
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Serving youth and families has always been close to her heart and Joy is passionate about creating opportunities where youth and their families can grow in faith, build authentic relationships, and discover the joy of walking with Jesus. She has a heart to listen and work in partnership with families to build a vibrant, welcoming ministry that reflects the heart of FPC and the beauty of this valley we call home.
Nichole Grant –
Office Manager
Nichole Grant is happy to have found her Church Home in First Presbyterian Church Whitefish. She and her husband, Mason, decided to settled in Whitefish in 2019 after Mason retired from the US Navy.
They have two boys, Jack and Chase, who have found their love of skiing and rock climbing since moving here. Nichole grew up in a rural farming and mining community in northern New York. She has a degree in Biology …
READ MORE
and enjoyed being a middle school science teacher before moving around the country due to her husband’s career. As a family they enjoy skiing, mountain biking, camping and traveling. Nichole also has a passion for gardening and hiking. You will find her in the church office Tuesday- Friday from 9-1. Stop in to say hi or with any questions you may have.
Joy Alfieri–
Director Of Children and Family Ministry
Joy Alfieri is originally from Texas and a proud Texas A&M Aggie (Howdy!). Her journey has taken her from Texas to Connecticut, to Colorado, and eventually to beautiful Montana, where her and her family have called home for the last four years. She has been with her high school sweetheart, Domenic, for 28 years and they now have four amazing teenagers. Their oldest, Carmella, just graduated from Whitefish High School; Giulliana is heading into her junior year; Carmine is starting his sophomore year; and their youngest, Marcello, entered his freshman year this fall. They are a big, loud, fun-loving crew, and are truly thrilled to be part of this church community!
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Serving youth and families has always been close to her heart and Joy is passionate about creating opportunities where youth and their families can grow in faith, build authentic relationships, and discover the joy of walking with Jesus. She has a heart to listen and work in partnership with families to build a vibrant, welcoming ministry that reflects the heart of FPC and the beauty of this valley we call home.
Deacons & Elders –
The Elders of the church are commissioned to be spiritual leaders of our congregation.
The Deacons of the church are commissioned to care for the physical, social and spiritual needs of the congregation.
Elders and Deacons are members of the congregation and elected by the congregation to serve.
For more information on either or if you’d like to serve please reach out to info@fpcwhitefish.org.
301 Central Avenue
Whitefish, MT 59937
PHONE:
(406) 862-2802
EMAIL:
info@fpcwhitefish.org
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