Harlem Woman Becomes Episcopal Church’s First Female Korean-American Priest

Harlem, N.Y., resident Christine Lee, born in Indianapolis and the daughter of a minister, became the Episcopal Church’s first Korean American female priest last Saturday. She achieved the milestone for the 2.3 million-strong denomination despite having attended a non-Episcopal Asian American church for most of her life.

“I had such a hard time connecting to anything or anyone,” Lee told DNAinfo.com. But Lee connected with the congregation over time and eventually decided to pursue a career in the ministry by way of interim positions at other local churches.

“Going forward this would be a good piece of information to have if we want to be a diverse church and raise up diverse leadership.”