Our Staff

Rev. Troy Lesher-Thomas
Pastor
tclesherthomas@
​gmail.com
 Picture
Virginia Raby
Church Secretary
info@milner
​memorial.org​​​

Elders

Class of 2018:                                   Class of 2019:                            Class of 2020:
Julia Jacobs                                         Gene Earp                                    Bobby Nelson
Dorothy Demby-Paige                 Elbis Hernandez                       Betsy Nelson
                                                                                                                                         

Who We Are

Milner Memorial practices radical hospitality in welcoming all people and even other faith communities into the space here at Milner. In October 2017, Joy of Discovery began worshiping here at Milner bringing the number of worshiping communities here to three: Joy of Discovery, Santuario, and Milner Memorial. Furthermore, we have welcomed Haven House into the space here at Milner. You can read more about ministries on our Ministries page.

Troy Lesher-Thomas
​​Stated Supply Pastor

Troy grew up in Stuarts Draft, Va, a small town nestled in the Shenandoah Valley. He came to the church and was baptized at the age of 12. Troy enjoys music playing the guitar and ukele. He's married to Mitzi Lesher-Thomas and together they have two children, Mackenzie and Andrew. Troy lives in Pittsboro and is excited to take another step in ministry as Milner Memorial's Interim Pastor. Troy finished his doctorate degree in 2011 focusing on leadership development and family systems theory. His passion is for the smaller membership church, community building, networking, and providing healing with other like minded-folk in this broken world.

Brief History

Milner Memorial Church was organized in 1923 as First Vanguard congregation located at the corner of Martin and Swain Streets in Raleigh. The church moved to their present location at 1950 New Bern Avenue in 1955. This was done under the leadership of Reverend A.R. Buffaloe and was made possible by the generous donation of land and money by Mr. Henry H. Milner. The congregation first built and met in the fellowship hall and later added an educational building, and our modernist sanctuary.​