If health concerns or even just a busy schedule makes joining us in person a challenge, we welcome you to join us online. Every Sunday, we’ll livestream our services via Facebook Live, and welcome you to join us for an online Fellowship Hour via Zoom (password to join is CPC).
Rev. Dorothy Piatt-Esguerra, Pastor and Head of Staff
Drawn by the ways Central lives out our calling to love God and neighbor in the heart of the city and by the welcoming spirit of our community, Dorothy joined Central’s ministry in 2025.
After a first career as a managing editor, Dorothy earned an M.Div. from Vanderbilt Divinity School while serving as pastoral intern at Second Presbyterian Church in Nashville, TN. She began ordained ministry as a Resident Minister at First Presbyterian Church in Ann Arbor, MI, and continued as Associate Pastor for University and Social Justice Mission at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville, VA, where she helped revitalize young adult ministries and expanded community partnerships while also serving as a board member for UKirk National Collegiate Ministries.
Dorothy believes that God is doing transformative ministry through inclusive communities shaped by the gospel. She finds energy in building intergenerational relationships, exploring questions of faith that inspire us to just action, and appreciating tradition while discovering creative ways for the church to embrace its mission in today’s world. Having served churches of various sizes, Dorothy seeks to tend relationships with a pastoral heart and systems with holistic vision.
Dorothy and her wife, Catalina, have three children—twin toddlers Mateo and Gabriel, as well as labradoodle Sophie. When not at work, you can probably find Dorothy hiking, touring Denver’s many coffee shops, or checking out social happenings with her family and friends. Her other loves are music (especially attending concerts and playing drums), reading, and exploring other cultures and landscapes.
Jon has a life long passion for all things automotive, tire rubber related and is always up for a good mechanical challenge. A Colorado native, he grew up in Northglen and was awarded a scholarship to technical school earning his welding certification. This experience and his knowledge of structural steel came in handy when in 2021 he worked on the administration building as part of the Capital Campaign renovations He was hired Facilities Manager in 2022 working closely with staff, vendors and event participants. He is very well versed in the history of Central. Ask him for a tour of the Heritage Center!
Jon married his wife, Jennifer, in the Central sanctuary in 1987. The following year, they join the congregation, Jon through baptism. Upon joining the church, Jon immediately became an usher, switch for him, is a life long commitment to greeting anyone who enters on Sunday.
He has served as a Deacon, Elder and on the mission and property committees both of which he is still active. In his dedication to mission, he has traveled with PDA to Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina, Alamosa Colorado with Habitat for Humanity and to work with LaPaunete and locally, he works with Habitat when his schedule allows.
He is most proud of his family. His daughter Kay and son in law Chris are building their lives together with the most amazing grandson ever, Lucius (Louie). Son Karl recently graduated from University of Louisville (KY) with a degree in Exercise Science while playing on their hockey team and will be returning in the fall to start grad school. And wife Jennifer, the supportive balance helping to keep it all together.
Jon has a strong faith in the love and forgiveness of Jesus and seeks daily to find ways to demonstrate God's love to everyone he meets.
Charis has attended Central since 2019 when she joined the choir, and enjoyed getting to know its wonderful members. She was promoted to soprano section leader and subsequently became a Central member with her family in 2022. That same year she was inspired to apply for the vacant positions of Music Director and Church Administrator and a unique dual position was created that allowed her to draw on her time as a professional musician and her business executive experience.
Charis has an undergraduate degree in Vocal Performance from Wheaton College and a Masters Degree, also in Vocal Performance, from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She enjoyed a decade and a half of performing worldwide with memorable solo performances at Carnegie Hall, with the Colorado Symphony and at the Vatican, among many others. She is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, the Presbyterian Association of Musicians and a member of Actor's Equity Association. She is supremely grateful for the support of her husband Ryan and daughters Ahna and Liza, who humor her by singing in her choir.
Glenn joined the staff at Central in 2021 with two decades of leadership in the classical arts. With a wealth of knowledge in all areas of performance and operations, Glenn brings valuable technical and administrative experience to his role at Central Presbyterian Church.
Glenn is also a musician and professional photographer, with a focus on portraiture, live music, and events. His work has taken him around the World and his imagery has been featured in esteemed publications, magazines, books, and newspapers.
Glenn holds Bachelors degrees in Business and Philosophy and is involved in various community-based organizations. He enjoys writing, helping others, learning new skills, and traveling to new places.
Molly Dowling Brown, Director of Mission & Faith Formation
Molly has been a member at Central since 2004 and joined the staff team in 2018. From 2013-2015, Molly served as the Director of Central Presbyterian Church’s Health Assistance Site which assisted Coloradans in health insurance enrollment.
Molly worked for over a decade on behalf of Federally Qualified Health Centers here in Colorado. Prior to that, she taught middle school social studies in North Carolina. Molly holds a BA in History from Davidson College (Davidson, NC). As the Director of Mission and Faith Formation, Molly believes faith is built via serving others in need in one’s community.
Molly and her husband, Adam, have 3 daughters: Caroline, Morgan, and Francee plus two canines…Murray (a goldendoodle) and Sylvester (a standard poodle).
Molly enjoys mountain and beach trips with her family, hiking, photography, water aerobics classes, dining out, and a good happy hour(s).
Louise Westfall became Central’s senior pastor in 2011, following pastorates in Cleveland, Detroit, and Iowa. She received a Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from San Francisco Theological Seminary. She has co-authored two Bible studies– The Face Is Familiar: Remembering Unnamed Women in Scripture, and Peacemaking in Mark: Restoring God’s Community of Men and Women. Her dissertation Listening Beyond Our Differences: Conversations about Abortion was honored with a faculty prize.
Louise believes the Church is a community of transformation and the congregations she’s served have resettled refugees, built homes with Habitat for Humanity, tutored urban school children, converted a closed church into a Boys and Girls Club, and helped enroll people in affordable health insurance. Her leadership has helped make connections between suburban and urban, Black and White congregations, and among Jews, Muslims, and Christians. Increasingly she considers the Communion cup a central symbol of faith representing God’s love poured out for all, and the Table a place where everyone is welcome.
Louise is the mother of a son, Paul, an attorney in Washington DC.
Socks of Love for Heartbeat Denver Working Men’s Shelter
December 17, 2023 at 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Join us for worship on December 17 at 10:30am, for an annual Central Christmas tradition, featuring your favorite carols, a heartwarming pageant, and acts of kindness that define the spirit of the season.
Immerse yourself in the true meaning of Christmas through worship and timeless carols. Our Christmas pageant promises to be a joyous spectacle, continuing the rich tradition that has become an integral part of our community’s celebrations.
Stay for cookies, conversation, and a special service project that has become a cherished tradition. Bins will be in the Narthex beginning the week of November 26 to collect donated sample-sized toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, and soap).
This year, we aim to stuff 120 pairs of warm socks, creating thoughtful care packages for the residents of the Heartbeat Denver Working Men’s Shelter. The bins will remain open through the 17th, allowing everyone to contribute to this meaningful project.
Participating in the service project is a powerful way to feel the love that comes from helping one another. Let’s create a ripple effect of kindness that extends beyond our community, making this Christmas a time of connection and compassion.
This Christmas season, make our tradition more meaningful by joining us for worship, carols, and acts of kindness that spread love to our neighbors at the Heartbeat Denver Shelter. Visit the Narthex starting November 26 to contribute to the service project, and together, let’s make this festive season a time of connection, compassion, and community spirit.