Reverend Sylvia Harris, born in December 1981 in Hagerstown, Maryland, is a powerful
example of how determination and faith can lead to success, despite her humble beginnings in a
rural area an hour away from the bustling cities of Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. However, her journey to success was not without its challenges, as she faced the difficulties of being a
woman of faith in a largely male-dominated field.
Harris grew up with two brothers in Maryland. She attended Boonsboro High School
where she excelled in school and played soccer. After high school, Harris struggled to maintain focus on her college classes at first, but eventually earned several degrees.
When she was 19, Harris moved out to live independently away from her parents. She eventually pursued and earned two associate degrees in general studies, both of which came from Hagerstown Community College in Maryland. She then went on to complete her undergraduate studies and went on to complete two additional master’s degrees, one in Cognitive Therapy and one in Divinity.
In her second Master’s program, Harris focused on women in church society and thrived in her classes at Kansas City-based St. Paul School of Theology in Leawood.
Harris grew up going to Methodist church, attending services in the Evangelical United Brethren branch. As she matured as a church leader, she learned of the multiple dynamics within the United Methodist church. Over the course of several centuries, the United Methodist Church and Evangelical United Brethren were split along racial lines. Eventually, the two branches merged under one banner, with regional jurisdictions emphasizing location over racial makeup of the congregations.
Harris found her way to South Phoenix in 2014. She found her way to the historic Wesley United Methodist Church, and after interviewing with the board, she accepted the challenge to lead the church on 7th Avenue and Southern.
From her vantage point, Harris has experienced and observed many gender and racial dynamics at play in South Phoenix and nationally. She believes that the world tells us that our differences separate us, but differences may be beautiful. She is passionate about building bridges, and preserving the history of Weseley United Methodist Church.
| Narrator | Sylvia Harris |
| Place of Origin | Hagerstown, Maryland |
| Place of Residence | Gilbert, Arizona |
| Role/Occupation | Reverend, Wesley United Methodist Church |
| Interview Conducted | March 8, 2023 |
| Location | South Mountain Community College |
| Interview Conducted By | Student Researchers: Anyelin Torres, Ellian Garcia, Gabriel Perez, Yessenia (Fae) Ramos |
| Story Written By | Student Researchers: Ellian Garcia, Gabriel Perez |
South Phoenix Oral History Project 