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History > Our Pastors > Bonnie Ann Rosborough

Bonnie Ann Rosborough
The Ninth Pastor, 1984-2004

Five years elapsed between the end of the Durgin ministry and the call to Bonnie Rosborough to assume pastoral responsibilities at Broadway United Church of Christ. These intervening years were particularly trying for the parish, as its members became absorbed in an examination of the church's identity and mission. An unsuccessful bid was made to purchase "walls" for the church in the form of a vacant Episcopal church building at 21st Street and Sixth Avenue. In Broadway's final year of residency at Rutgers Presbyterian Church, a call was extended to Dr. Rosborough, who became the congregation's first woman pastor. Changes in circumstances at Rutgers prompted a move of the Broadway UCC parish to St. Michael's Episcopal Church in 1985, where Broadway worshipped and carried on its activities until 1999.

Beginning talks as early as 1998 with Advent Lutheran Church, Dr. Rosborough found an opportunity to return to the church to its name-sake along Broadway Avenue. After much discussion and financial arrangements that included renovating Advent Church's roof and basement, Broadway moved from St. Michael's into its new home. Signing a 40-year covenant of residency, both churches agreed to an extended partnership of ministry that promises to serve both congregations well into their futures together.

Dr. Rosborough's ministry at Broadway Church was marked with a unique sense of compassion. During the mid-1980's when AIDS was ravishing the city's gay male population, Dr. Rosborough opened up the church's heart to a special ministry of inclusion and hope. Many AIDS patients were introduced into a community of faith that embraced and welcomed them with warmth and love. As a result of her work and the church's ministry, Broadway UCC voted to be one of the first congregations in the United Church of Christ to become an Open and Affirming congregation.

Later, during the gay marriage debate that continues to challenge traditional definitions of marriage, Dr. Rosborough embraced the challenge of whether the church should sanction and perform marriages for gay and lesbian persons. With conviction, Dr. Rosborough protested the local laws recognizing same-sex unions by refusing to act as an agent of the State in marriages performed for heterosexual marriages. As a result of her example, other clergy persons in the city followed her example.

In September of 2004, Dr. Rosborough concluded her twenty-year ministry at Broadway Church by accepting a call to Briarcliff Congregational Church in Briarcliff Manor, New York.

James P. Campbell, Our Tenth Pastor