Our Pastor
Rev. Catherine Thornton Brownlee
Rev. Catherine Thornton Brownlee is a fourth-generation product of Zion AME Church, which began in the Cradle Roll Class. Rev. Brownlee is the daughter of Sis. Eddie Lee Thornton (deceased), a proud member of the Lillian B. Derrick Missionary Society, and Robert C. Thornton (deceased). She is also the granddaughter of Sis. Priscilla Thornton (deceased), who served faithfully for many years as a Stewardess in Zion.
She was ordained as an Itinerant Elder by the Philadelphia Annual Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 2018 by Bishop Gregory G.M. Ingram.
Rev. Brownlee received her first appointment as the Pastor of Wesley AME Church in Swarthmore, PA, on July 31, 2020. In June of 2025, she was appointed as the pastor of Bethel AME Church in Lansdowne, PA.
She worked as a middle school teacher for thirty years, serving in the Philadelphia School District, and retired in June 2023. Catherine holds two degrees from Temple University (Bachelor of Business Administration, Master of Education) and a Master of Divinity degree from Payne Theological Seminary.
Rev. Brownlee was married to Kevin Brownlee for 41 years until his death in January 2025. She is the mother of Kevin Jr., Dante, and Kristopher. She is also the proud Mom-Mom to seven grandchildren.