The Rev. Dr. L. Holton Siegling, Jr. is a 6th generation Charlestonian who proceeded through such communal rites of passage as getting splinters on Sullivan's Island, Citadel, and College of Charleston summer Camps and Cotillion with Mrs. Whipple at Society Hall. Blessed to be brought up in a Christian home on peninsular Charleston, Holton spent his childhood as a member of the Second Presbyterian Church. While faith was always a vital part of Holton's life, he felt a specific sense of call to the ministry while celebrating the Lord's Supper at a Montreat Youth Conference as a sophomore in high school. In the years that followed, Holton continued to be actively involved in the local and greater church in numerous ways.

Holton met his wife, Martha Ann, at Clemson University. They graduated and married in 1995 and have three children (Harrison, Will, and Mary Caroline).

About meeting Martha Ann for the first time, Holton has this to say: "I met my wife Martha Ann while on a Presbyterian Student Association beach retreat. Martha Ann was pretty amazing when, having been paired with her for kitchen duty, she fulfilled our joint responsibilities before I could even report for duty. As it turned out, Martha Ann didn't want to get stuck in the kitchen with me because I was so intense and physically active." With tongue in cheek, Holton affirms: "Now, that's divine intervention!"

One week after graduating from college, Holton began his studies at Princeton Theological Seminary (PTS). While in seminary, he put his high energy to good use by serving as the Athletic Director and coordinating the intramural sports program. Holton also enjoyed internships at the Flemington Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Church at Westfield and fulfilled his Clinical Pastoral Education at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.

Upon graduating from Princeton Seminary, Holton served as the Associate Pastor for Youth and Their Families at First Presbyterian Church in Spartanburg, South Carolina. In the years that followed, he served several other pastorates, namely: Marion Presbyterian Church (Marion, South Carolina), First Presbyterian Church (Fernandina Beach, Florida), and the Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church (Knoxville, Tennessee).

In the summer of 2017, Holton was grateful and humbled to discern, along with the members of the Pastor Nominating Committee, the specific call to serve as Pastor/Head of Staff for the First (Scots) Presbyterian Church! Dr. Siegling's shared history and abiding love for the people of Charleston, his familiarity with the ecclesiology of the Lowcountry, and his love and appreciation for the people of First (Scots), by God's grace, continue to contribute to a successful and mutually beneficial ministry.

Some of Holton's great pastoral joys include recognizing and celebrating the blessings of God, walking alongside people in their Christian journey, studying God's Word while preaching it with gusto, and maximizing people's gifts for Christ's service.

Holton's life as a pastor has been rich and full. In 2007 he earned a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. Over the years, he has participated in numerous continuing education events, including Presbytery sponsored events, Stephen Ministry training, conferences offered through Princeton Seminary, Youth Specialties, and the Festival of Homiletics, as well as three Pulpit Exchanges with sister churches in Scotland. Holton has worked with pastors preparing for ministry, served as a reader for the Presbyterian Church's national ordination exams, and helped lead several pilgrimages to the Holy Land and one expedition which followed the footsteps of the Apostle Paul. He currently serves the Charleston Atlantic Presbytery as a member of the Shepherding Committee and member/Clerk of the Transitional General Presbyter and Stated Clerk Search Committee.

Dr. Siegling's historical involvement in the communities where he has lived includes serving on such local boards as Habitat for Humanity and the Barnabas Center. Enjoying his work as a Rotarian, he is a Past President and a Paul Harris Fellow. He serves as an honorary member and chaplain for the St. Andrews Society. He is also a proud member of the German Friendly Society, the Hibernian Society, and the Washington Light Infantry.

Among the highlights of Holton's life, presiding over the baptism of each of their three children ranks very high on the list. Holton spends most of his free time with family but also enjoys running and participating in some somewhat crazy "off-brand" types of races from time to time. He jokingly asserts that he is hydro and solar-powered and is happiest when he is both on the water and in the sun!