In 1997, Rev. Lorraine A. Thornhill became the first female Pastor of the First Holiness Church in Cambridge, MA. Prior to her becoming the pastor of the First Holiness Church, she worked for seven years as a psychotherapist for Bentley College in Waltham, MA.

Rev. Thornhill is a native of Medford, MA. She holds a Master of Education degree in Human Development and Psychology from Harvard University, a Bachelor of Arts degree from Gordon College and has studied at Andover Newton Theological School in pursuit of her Master of Divinity.

Rev. Thornhill is a woman of “firsts”. In addition to being the first female pastor of First Holiness Church. Rev. Lorraine is also the first female to be elected President of the Cambridge Black Pastor’s Conference, a post that she has retained for the last three years. Most recently she has become the first female Presiding Elder of the UPCAG New England District.

In addition, Rev. Thornhill is also actively involved beyond the walls of her church. She has served on numerous boards and committees, promoting health, education and youth advocacy including being a commissioner for the City of Cambridge’s Human Service Department; a former board president of Cambridge Cares About Aids; and has served on various committees.

Rev. Thornhill identifies with the prophet Isaiah in that she too has been anointed and appointed by God to bring good news to the poor, to comfort the broken-hearted, to set those who are bound free, to give beauty for ashes to those who mourn, to bring joy instead of mourning, and praise instead of despair. Her prophetic gifting gives witness to the anointing on a woman totally sold out for the Kingdom of God.

Rev. Thornhill is also a life coach who is on a mission to help people discover their God-given destiny; she believes that God has created all of us with a divine purpose.

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