Archbishop Mary Floyd Palmer shown above addressing the audience assembled at Jamaica's National Day of Prayer in Kingston, JA in 2019.
Her Bio
Archbishop Mary Floyd Palmer, also affectionately known as Bishop Mary, is the eldest daughter of the late Rev. Dr. Melvin & Mrs. Elizabeth Floyd, one of Philadelphia’s legends best known for his impactful street ministry of 45 years, done with his unusual van that carries the coffin & dummy on top. A lifelong resident of Philadelphia, Bishop Mary is a family woman of five adult children, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A proud graduate of The Philadelphia High School For Girls, she excelled in her studies, in athletics and in music. She is the recipient of a conferred Doctor of Ministry (2016) and Ph.D. (2024) and honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (2021). Publicly, she is a sworn Special Deputy Lieutenant of Philadelphia Sheriff Office; and, is a certified International Chaplain, Peace Ambassador and the Deputy Chief Governor of the Department of Northeastern USA division of the International Consulting Council. These three prestigious positions are within the United Nations.
Archbishop Mary grew up in a family where Ministry was the family mantle. She began singing at age three and served faithfully in every ministry and official position in the Church that spans over 58 years. Her love for music began at: age three singing in the children choir, at age eight as a pianist, and continued as a passionate gospel singer who has sung with great choirs and greats Directors led by Mattie Moss Clark (COGIC), Bernard Pinder (Women In White), Rev. Ernest Davis (Wilmington-Chester Mass Choir), Joyce Drayton (MLK Community & Citywide Revival Choirs), Harold Thompson (Mainline Interdenominational Choir), David Winslow (Winslow Singers), Carol Antrom (Afternoon of Songs Choir) and Daren Miller (Sweet Fellowship Inspirational Choir). These experiences, along with being a Minister of Music and avid musician of four instruments, has only enhanced her excellent directing and choral teaching skills to be the Lead Director of The MET Community Choir, the House Choir for the MET Philly Opera House (2020 – 2022). Adding to her talents, she is the morning On-Air Personality and Host of the award-winning “The Bishop Mary Show”, now featured on WWDB 860-AM each Monday morning from 8:00AM – 9:00AM. Relevant, relational and “hot” topics, whether secular or spiritual, are discussed with sensitivity and truth. Because of her integrity and stellar reputation, she has interviewed prominent and prestigious people known locally, nationally and worldwide.
Despite a flourishing career in the public and private sectors as an Executive Assistant, Police & Training Officer, CEO & Manager/Director, she yielded and accepted the call on her life for full-time ministry. In 2004, she was licensed and ordained into the gospel ministry by her late Father/Pastor; and with his blessing, was ordained and consecrated to the Holy Office of Bishop in McDonough, GA in July 2009 and the Arch-episcopacy at the historic Bright Hope Baptist Church in March 2019. Her latest elevation made her historic as the first female Archbishop of any denomination in her home City of Philadelphia and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to date. Former Mayor James Kenney honored this history with a Celebration Reception in May 2019, with additional recognitions from City Council in June 2019, the U.S. Congress in September 2019 and the PA House & Senate in May 2022. In August 2019, The Tourist Board of Jamaica invited and embraced Archbishop Mary in Montego Bay for her first trip to the Caribbean. She was warmly welcomed by its Mayor, The Honorable Homer Davis; the Costos (Governor) of the St. James Parrish, The Honorable Conrad Pitkin; and the Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Most Honorable Andrew Holness in Kingston, along with the faith, civic, commerce, community leaders and the citizens as well. While there, she visited the hospital, nursing home, “skid row”, food kitchen, and a vocational school where she prayed for and blessed many.
Passionate about souls, Archbishop Mary is:
- a volunteer instructor teaching a weekly class for at SCI-Chester since its opening in 1998 to date;
- has revised her father’s impactful Evangelism course into a two-hour Master Class course that is taught in schools, churches, and the community,
- is a Motivational Speaker who shares common sense principles with wit and candor to any age group, male or female in any environment (much like her father in the public schools); and,
- a bold evangelical Preacher who delivers the Word of God in a direct, practical, and common-sense manner without compromise or apology!
Archbishop Mary’s care and tenacity for outreach in the community was imparted and strengthened through the early ministry work of her late Father. Founder of Neighborhood Crusades, an urban street ministry geared to save the lives of the youth in the city, she worked side-by-side in the streets with her Dad for over 45 years and saw greater than 250K+ souls saved by his powerful and impactful message illustrated in his photographic presentation. He realized that collaboration was necessary to provide alternatives to those who wanted to make a change in their lives, so he formed partnerships with the leading community organizations such as House of Umoja & Crisis Intervention Network, etc. whose programs were able to give that support. These efforts resulted in the cessation of gang violence and the premature deaths of young people citywide. This began Archbishop’s personal vision for youth coupled with her volunteerism at age 13 with her late maternal grandmother at Women’s Christian Alliance. To honor her father’s great work and continue his legacy of collaboration, Archbishop Mary established the Community Healing Project 4 All, Inc. in August 2019. Its purpose is to promote healing through communicating with and restoring your neighbor, one at a time, block by block, reaching all communities. This extends her experience and adds to her legacy as well.
Her private long-time dream came true of over 40 years when vetted and embraced as an International Honorary Member of the prestigious sorority, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Alpha Omega Chapter with her induction on November 8, 2020. Her intake sisters, Actress Vivica Fox, R & B Hall of Famer Chaka Khan & Major General Linda Singh, were equally honored to be class members together. Archbishop is the first and only Faith-Based Leader to have sorority honorary status with Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Her public and civic duties are vast locally, nationally, and internationally by current service as, but not limited to:
*First Female President/Presiding Bishop, Philadelphia Council of Clergy
*Lifetime Member: Alumni Association of The Philadelphia High School For Girls; Induction as Distinguished Daughter (Highest Honor- Hall of Fame), November 2024.
*Lifetime Member: National Council of Negro Women
*Board Member: Alliance for Progress Charter School; RSVP Montgomery County and National Congress of Black Women (NCBW).
*Member (Public Organizations): Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists, National Organization of Women -Philadelphia Chapter, PA Re-Entry Council and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women - PA Chapter (NCBW100-PA), recently Inducted September 2024
*Member (Religious Organizations): Baptist Pastors & Ministers Conference, Fellowship of Women Clergy and Rose of Sharon Conference
*Spiritual Mother & Board Member, Ruth Sisters Fellowship International
*Secretary of Executive Committee, Philadelphia Sheriff Office - Clergy Division
*Executive Board Member & Parliamentarian, Black Clergy of Phila. & Vicinity
On October 6, 2019, Archbishop became the Overseer for Heavenly Hall Church in West Philadelphia where her congregation united in partnership to continue the worth and do the work of ministry. Giving guidance to a small congregation of 7, her leadership provided tangible support where her gifts and talents, along with her ministry partner, Dr John Thompson, Sr., promoted growth of the congregation to 50+ members. This is not only epic, but necessary when struggling faith congregations need compassion and help. After 3 + years, The Samaritan Temple reopened in June 2023.
Archbishop Mary has received over 70+ citations, resolutions and awards of honor for her consistent work in both the Kingdom and in the public & private sectors of society. Recent honors that have recognized Archbishop’s life of service:
- Recipient of the prestigious U.S. President’s Lifetime Achievement Award and pin from President Joseph Biden on December 5, 2021.
- Recipient of the prestigious U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Award from President Joseph Biden on May 20, 2022
- Recipient of City Council Citation as Community Advocate Against Anti-Violence on June 2, 2022
- Recipient of Inspirational Gospel Singers Award by Barnes Boy Music Group on June 10, 2022
- Recipient of Woman of Distinction Award by the Jamaican Business Association on January 4, 2023
- Recipient of the Trailblazer Award presented by Representative Steve Kinsey on October 20, 2023
On October 21, 2023, Archbishop was vested with her pallium by Cardinal David C. Hartman-Davenport, elevating her to the status of Metropolitan Archbishop. The week following, on October 28th, 2023, [Rev. Melvin Floyd Way] became a reality with the Street Renaming Ceremony honoring her late father, on the corner of 5200 Wayne Avenue, in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. The City Council resolution had the full consent of its members, and was presented by her Council Member, Deputy Whip Cindy Bass.
Archbishop Mary has served faithfully in Ministry spanning 58+ years and is well-versed, well-trained, yet a humble and approachable Lady who is ready to serve at any time. Her Ministry verses are Eph. 6:19 & 20, Philippians 1:6 and I Cor. 15:58 (paraphrased): “God does not begin anything in you that He doesn’t equip and anoint you to speak boldly and complete in Him. Therefore, remain steadfast--no matter what!”
