About
The Church of the Holy Cross,
Valle Crucis
Holy Cross is a Christ-centered Episcopal community of faith that offers an active, loving, and welcoming place of worship, ministry, and Christian fellowship. We are committed to meaningful worship services and celebrating the love of Christ through the Holy Eucharist, hearing the Word, and embracing all who enter our doors. This parish is truly characterized by energy and a dedication to helping others through a variety of ministries, strong lay leadership and active participation of all. And we are a multifaceted faith community that treasures and enjoys each other and our connections to our surrounding communities.
First, and foremost, Holy Cross is a place of worship. We do not represent a large membership but we openly receive those from all walks of life. All are welcome to share the Holy Eucharist at our table. The liturgy, celebration of the Holy Eucharist, challenging sermons, inspiring sacred music, the beauty and history of this simple stone church all combine to offer an inspirational and compelling place to worship and draw closer to God.
Holy Cross Clergy and Staff
The Rev. Jonathan C. Chesney, Rector
Jonathan was born in the Blue Ridge mountains of Charlottesville, Virginia (which, with the Scottish Highlands, form the geography of his heart) and spent much of his life trekking northward and southward for family and for education. Calling Birmingham, Alabama home as a young man, studying English and Creative Writing at Trinity College in Hartford Connecticut, returning south for summers in the woods as a counselor at Camp McDowell, he remained active in the Episcopal Church from high school on and eventually discerned a call to ordained ministry while serving as a youth minister in Montgomery. He followed his Scottish grandfather’s footsteps to Virginia Theological Seminary and was ordained a priest in 2014 at Holy Trinity in Auburn, where he served as associate rector.
Remaining active in ministries at Camp McDowell proved the best decision of his life when he met Alison Papp, of Waukegan, IL, in the goat pen there while she was the Director of the Farm School, and after writing a letter to introduce himself, they began hanging out and eventually dating and getting married.
Jonathan spent a year doing intensive pastoral training as a hospital ER chaplain in Chicago and then they moved to Memphis where he served at Church of Holy Communion as Associate Rector and then Senior Associate rector for seven and a half years, developing pastoral care and family ministries. While there, they lived at another camp and conference center, Saint Columba, and their family expanded with the birth of Georgina and their twins, Maisie and Malcolm.
Jonathan was thrilled to be called to serve as the next rector of Holy Cross, drawn by the community ministries and presence the parish has in Valle Crucis, and thrilled to return to higher ground. His family is excited to plug into school and the community as well.
Jonathan loves spending time with his family, especially while enjoying the outdoors, and among many other interests, reading, playing games, cooking, traveling, and scheming about future adventures.
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Get in touch with Fr. Jonathan by clicking here to send him an email, or call the office at (828) 963-4609 x22.
Emma Pullium, Director of Music
Emma Pullium is a Western North Carolina based organist and pianist. In May 2025, she obtained her Master of Music degree in Organ Performance from Appalachian State University where she studied under Holy Cross member, Dr. Joby Bell. Before moving to Boone in 2023, Emma received her undergraduate degree in music from Young Harris College in Young Harris, Georgia.
During her time at Appalachian State, Emma worked as a graduate teaching assistant where she taught private organ lessons, co-taught Class Piano classes, and was the collaborative pianist for multiple vocal and instrumental ensembles and soloists.
Shortly after graduation in 2025, Emma was hired as faculty at Appalachian State University where she teaches Class Piano classes for music majors and is the Interim Program Coordinator for Hayes School of Music. Alongside teaching collegiately, she also teaches piano and organ privately through the Community Music School at Appalachian State University.
In her free time, Emma enjoys needleworking, tending to her robust flower garden, and hosting dinner parties for her friends.
Get in touch with Emma by clicking here to send her an email.
Ahren Koenig, Parish Administrator
Ahren Koenig is a native of Atlanta, Georgia, who grew up in Quito, Ecuador as a missionary kid. After finishing high school at Alliance Academy International, a Christian & Missionary Alliance school for missionaries in Ecuador, Ahren returned to Atlanta to pursue a variety of blue-collar opportunities. Brought onboard at Holy Cross during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ahren has put down roots in the High Country, and was joined by fellow MK, childhood crush, and spouse of five years, Stacey Bulmer, in 2024.
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Get in touch with Ahren by clicking here to send an email, or call the office at (828) 963-4609 x21.