Our Pastor

Reverend Dr. Charles and Dr. Angela McNeil
Senior Pastor and First Lady

At a young age, Reverend Dr. Charles L. McNeil, Sr. accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior and was baptized at the historic Shiloh Baptist Church in South Philadelphia. He currently serves as the Senior Pastor of the Grace Temple Baptist Church in Lawnside and Board Chair of Grace Temple Community Development Corporation. He formerly served as the Senior Pastor of the Transfiguration Baptist Church, and as Associate Pastor of his home church, Shiloh Baptist Church, both in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 
    
Dr. McNeil has taught and lectured in both the degree and non-degree programs at Palmer Theological Seminary; was featured on the “This I Believe” radio series of WHYY-FM; and is an essayist in the book, “This I Believe Philadelphia”. His doctoral work examined the survival of historic black churches located in gentrifying neighborhoods within South Philadelphia, from which he has contributed to articles, research studies, and seminars. He was also featured in a film-essay examining how racism threatened America’s efforts of becoming “a more perfect union” in the wake of then Senator Barack Obama becoming the 44th President of the United States.
    
For many years Dr. McNeil served as the Executive Director for Church Partnerships and Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at Palmer Theological Seminary. He also served as the Brand Manager and Creative Director for Eastern University in St. Davids, Pennsylvania; founding member and current treasurer of NewCORE (A New Conversation on Race and Ethnicity); President of the Manna Bible Institute; President of African American Interdenominational Ministries (AAIM); Treasurer for Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity; Board member for New Life Youth and Family Services in Schwenksville, Pennsylvania; and cabinet member for Pennsylvania Eastern Keystone Baptist Association (PEKBA). 
    
He earned both a doctorate and master’s degree from Palmer Theological Seminary, a bachelor’s degree from Eastern University, and an associates degree from the Art Institute of Philadelphia. He and his wife, Dr. Angela S. McNeil, an associate vice president at a university and professional therapist, have been married since 1994 and are the proud parents of three children.