Office Hours
Tuesday – Friday
10:00 – 4:30
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Our Staff
Minister
Pastor Allen O’Brien
One part bohemian, one part science nerd, Pastor Allen was born in Stockton, CA and grew up in the small mountain town of Tehachapi — reminiscent of Redding, though much smaller if you can believe it — and lived in various places throughout Northern and Southern California. He studied Biblical studies and theology for both his undergrad and graduate degrees and is now enrolled in the Doctorate of Ministry program at San Francisco Theological Seminary | University of Redlands with an emphasis in Pastoral Care and Counseling.
You may have bumped into Allen at rallies for Black Lives Matter, immigration justice, the Poor People’s Campaign, mutual aid, Women’s Marches, protests against gun violence and nuclear proliferation, and more. Joining justice with compassion features prominently throughout his work at Pilgrim and in the wider community.
Over the past five years Allen has founded and facilitated various ministries for “exvangelicals” and “post-fundamentalists” with a few beloved colleagues. These include group discussions, individual direction, and the bimonthly Irenicast podcast. He cares deeply about religious trauma, spiritual abuse, and developing healing modalities for those coming out of high-control religious environments.
After fourteen years of ministry within various settings and denominations (eventually ordained in the UCC), Allen joined Pilgrim February 1, 2020.
He enjoys reading, learning, and loving all the things. The deep colors of Redding’s sunset mountainscapes routinely blow him away.
Office Manager
Elizabeth Cifu Shuster
Choir Director
Nancy Dutton Hill
Pianist
Sheri Curtis
Pre-School Teacher
Brittany Wood
Sunday School Teacher
Kaarin Brook
Custodian
Randy Haynes.
