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Historic Hampton Church to install first female pastor

154 year old baptist church in Hampton breaks the stain glass ceiling with the installation of its first female Senior Pastor.

HAMPTON, Va. (WVEC) -- The first woman pastor will be installed at one of the oldest black churches in the country.

This Sunday, First Baptist Church of Hampton on King Street will celebrate Reverend Dr. Joan Parrott as the new Senior Pastor. She's the 11th pastor in the church's 154-year rich history.

"The church has been one of the last places that women have cracked the glass ceiling. I call it the stained glass ceiling," said Parrott.

Parrott, a Newark, New Jersey native comes from a family of ministers. Her four brothers are pastors and her late father was Bishop James Parrott. His leadership in his church served a big influence for daughter, Parrott.

Parrott resumes protrude with experiences that make her a true global citizen. She volunteered for the Peace Corp, she's a former fourth-grade teacher and adult education counselor and had the privilege of two private audiences with Pope John Paul II, including one at the Vatican.

Parrott worked as the director of the Children’s Defense Fund at Alex Haley Farm in Clinton, Tennessee.

"All of these things that I have done have helped me to understand the church, understand the people in the church and to be a true servant leader."

Celebratory festivities this weekend include a concert by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Singers and an installation banquet, featuring Pastor Donnie McClurkin.

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