Welcome to Galbraith A.M.E. Zion Church

Rev. Dr. Myrtle Bowen was born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut. At the age of three, she became a member of the universal body of Christ through the Baptist faith. Since then she has been continuously seeking to do the Lord's perfect will in all aspects of her life.

After graduating from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro, North Carolina, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Architectural Engineering, she began her government service with the United States Air Force in August of 1985 at Pope Air Force Base (AFB), Fayetteville, NC. In many areas, Rev. Bowen has distinguished herself as a pioneer. She was the first African American Woman to complete the United States Palace Acquired Program, and subsequently served in the Base Civil Engineering Squadron at Pope AFB for three years. Presently, Dr. Bowen is the first African American Woman to serve as the Chief of the Master Planning Division for the United States Army at the Joint Base Myer - Henderson Hall, Directorate of Public Works in Arlington, Virginia.

On February 14, 1992, she began her ministry and now serves as an Itinerate Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. In May of 1995, Rev. Bowen graduated from Howard University School of Divinity with a Masters of Divinity Degree. Subsequently, in May of 1997, she received her Doctorate Degree from Howard University School of Divinity after completing her dissertation entitled "Developing A Biblical Theology of Healing From Sexual Abuse and Domestic Violence".

Dr. Bowen is the former Pastor of Unity A. M. E. Zion Church in Severn, Maryland, Gibson Grove A. M. E. Zion Church in Bethesda, Maryland, and most recently Clinton A.M.E. Zion Church, Rockville, MD; where she was the first woman to serve as Pastor in it's 142 years of existence. Currently, Dr. Bowen is also the first woman appointed Pastor in it's 166 years of existence of Galbraith A. M. E. Zion Church in Washington, DC.

In addition, Dr. Bowen also serves as a Reserve Chaplain for the United States Air Force -Air National Guard in the District of Columbia. Chaplain (Lt Col) Bowen has also severed for the last eleven years at the following locations: (i) Delaware Air National Guard Base and Dover Air Force Base (AFB) in Delaware, (ii) Andrews AFB in Maryland, Bolling AFB in the District of Columbia and (iii) Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. In fact, she was the first African American Woman Chaplain to serve at Arlington National Cemetery.

Most of all, she gives all Praise and Glory to God Almighty for ordering her steps, as well as, making, shaping and preparing her each and every day. Rev. Dr. Myrtle Bowen, truly is a child of God, who loves the Lord with all her heart, mind, body and soul!