[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 7, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E125]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2024: HONORING REV. LILLIAN ARCHIBALD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELISSA SLOTKIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 7, 2024

  Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a woman who defied not only 
the odds but her own family's wishes to become a pioneer in the pulpit 
at a landmark Black church in Livingston County, Michigan.
  Though her father was a devout Baptist preacher in the early part of 
the 20th century, Lillian Archibald was taught from a young age that 
ministry was strictly for men. The fourth of five children, Lillian's 
father was clear in his message to his daughters: love the Lord, but 
find another calling for work.
  Skeptical but obedient, Lillian attended a business college in her 
hometown of Memphis and spent time as a missionary before starting a 
family of her own. Tragically, the youngest of her four children was 
killed in 1977 in a crash between a car and a train. Despite her 
profound grief, Lillian took solace in her unshakeable faith, and made 
the decision that it was time to answer the call that had been placed 
upon her heart.
  Lillian enrolled at Payne Theological Seminary, and entered the 
ministry at age 50. She spent some time as an itinerant elder before 
being ordained as a full minister in 1985. And of course, she broke the 
news to her father, who she says grew quiet before finally giving her 
his blessing.
  She brought that blessing to Michigan, first serving six years 
assisting the pastor at a church in Jackson, before being assigned to 
pastor St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church in Brighton--the 
only African American church in predominantly white Livingston County--
in 1990.
  With her melodic voice and charismatic style, Reverend Archibald is 
credited with breathing new life and hope into the congregation, where 
she stayed for four years. During her tenure, the church grew in size 
and in spirit, and began reaching out to the community and joining with 
other churches with a sense of common purpose and passion.
  Though her time in Livingston County was brief, her impact was 
profound. She received numerous recognitions for her commitment to the 
community, including her work with victims of domestic violence at the 
Women's Resource Center in Howell, and her efforts to shelter the 
unhoused through Habitat for Humanity.
  Perhaps one of her greatest gifts was the mentorship she offered to 
other women contemplating the call to ministry. Reverend Archibald is 
still warmly remembered today by many of them as a compassionate guide 
and a listening ear. Her courageous ministry and her golden voice still 
guide the work of St. James AME Church.

                          ____________________