Who We Are
Our Staff
Rev. David W. Poe - Pastor
David Wesley Poe grew up in Bellevue, Kentucky, the son of the late John & Shirley Poe. He graduated from Bellevue High School in 1987 and went on to attend Eureka College, Eureka, Illinois on a Ronald Reagan Leadership Scholarship. He graduated with a B.A. in English, Religion & Philosophy (magna cum laude) in 1991. Pastor Poe and his wife, Teresa Piester, a special education teacher at Franklin County R-II, have four adult children and two grandchildren. He obtained a Master of Divinity Degree in 1995 from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana, was ordained into the United Church of Christ that same year and has since served congregations in Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri. He joined St. Martin UCC in High Ridge, MO in 2023 after completing an Intentional Interim at St. John's United Church of Christ, Weldon Spring, Missouri.
Donna Goede - Minister of Children & Youth
Our Minister of Children & Youth and Director of the St. Martin Preschool, Donna Goede, is a graduate of Northwest High School, Harris Stowe State, Maryville University, University of Missouri St. Louis and St. Luke’s Evangelical Christian. She holds Bachelor’s Degrees in Elementary and Special Education, Master in Counseling, Psychological Evaluation and Learning Processes and Ordination in Biblical Studies. Donna was installed as the Minister of Children and Youth at St. Martin UCC in June 2022. She retired after 29 years as a teacher and counselor from the Northwest School District and has served as the director/teacher at St. Martin UCC Preschool for the past seven years. She served four terms on the church council including six years as President. Donna and her husband Gary have been married for 45 years — they have two daughters and nine grandchildren. Donna currently serves on two Board of Director positions for non-profit charities. She served 10 years as president and is currently the Administrative Secretary for Hearing Improvement Kids Endowment, Inc. (HIKE), a national charity that provides hearing devices and equipment for needy children. She is also a Court Appointed Special Advocated (CASA of Jefferson County) which provides support for area children in Foster Care
Administrative Assistant & Church Office Manager - Grace Self
Grace is a lifelong resident of Jefferson County and grew up as a member of St. Martin. She leads the Women’s Fellowship group and has been providing support to Church staff and members for more than a decade in her role as Administrative Assistant and Office Manager.
Director of Music - Kelly Krener
Kelly Krener is a graduate of Eureka High School, Webster University and Maryville University. She holds Bachelor’s Degrees in Music Performance and Music Therapy, and a Master of Arts in Music. She is an adjunct professor at Saint Louis Community College, works at memory care communities as a music therapist, and plays in a guitar duo with Grant Krener, her husband of 23 years. Kelly and Grant have a 17 year old son named Cole.
Our Beliefs
No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here.
Our Vision Statement
St. Martin Church is to be a place where all people are loved, valued and cared for; a place where we share regularly in celebrating God’s love for us and live out that love in responsible, inviting and welcoming ways.
Our Mission Statement
Our Mission is to be responsible and caring in reaching out to all people so that everyone may experience the unconditional love and grace of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Our History
St. Martin United Church of Christ has been serving High Ridge and the surrounding communities since 1868. We worship in a beautiful Sanctuary lit by colorful stained glass windows and our membership includes multiple generations of local families. We have a long history of extending warm welcomes to everyone who visits.
Weekly Sunday Services
Fellowship Hour begins at 8:30 AM with coffee and doughnuts in the lower level fellowship hall. We'd love to get to know you!
Worship Service begins at 9:30 AM.
A special children's message is featured every week and we have a Children's Church program.
Our only dress code is "dress comfortably." For some, that may mean dressing up, but for most it simply means wearing casual clothes. Our focus is on Christ – not what people wear. We want everyone to be comfortable and feel welcome.
Our Facility is Handicap accessible. You'll find an elevator inside the lower level entrance outside the fellowship hall.
How to Find Us
St. Martin UCC is located at 3229 High Ridge Blvd in High Ridge, MO.