Since 2009, the Reverend Leslie D. Callahan, Ph.D., has served as senior pastor of the St. Paul’s Baptist Church. She is the fifth pastor and first woman to serve in that role in the church’s 134-year history.

Dr. Callahan earned the Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Harvard University, the Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary, and the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Religion from Princeton University. She was ordained in 1997 at Judson Memorial Church and served congregations in Princeton, NJ, and the Philadelphia suburbs.

Dr. Callahan has served on the faculty of New York Theological Seminary (NYTS) as Assistant Professor of Modern Church History and African American Studies. Prior to her time at NYTS, she was a member of the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania as assistant professor of religious studies. She has also taught courses for Eden Theological Seminary and New Brunswick Theological Seminary.

In addition to her ministry and scholarly pursuits, Dr. Callahan enjoys traveling, golfing, reading, movies, and sports. She is also an active member of the Philadelphia Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Dr. Callahan’s chief joy is that she is the proud mother of Annabelle Inez.

Dr. Callahan’s favorite scripture is Psalm 27:4: One thing have I desired of the LORD; that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD and to seek God in God’s temple.