About Mary McBride-Lee
Our Mission
Our Community
Our Mission
To lead by example through faith, education, and service, empowering individuals to discover their divine purpose and to impact their communities with love, integrity, and compassion.
Through her ministry, civic engagement, and advocacy, Pastor McBride-Lee’s mission is to build bridges of hope that connect people across generations, fostering unity, understanding, and transformation in both church and community.
Our Beliefs
Our Community
Our Mission
We believe in the life-changing power of God’s love, grace, and truth.
Rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ, we honor Scripture, prayer, and the guiding work of the Holy Spirit.
Our faith calls us to love God, serve others, and walk boldly in purpose every day.
Our Community
Our Community
Our Community
Our community is a welcoming family of believers and neighbors committed to faith, service, and unity.
We gather to worship, learn, and support one another while making a positive impact in Bridgeport and beyond.
Together, we strive to live out love, compassion, and purpose in everything we do.
The Life & Impact of Mary A. McBride-Lee
THE PASTOR
For more than 40 years, Pastor Mary A. McBride-Lee has shepherded El-Shaddai Pentecostal Church in Bridgeport, Connecticut. A ministry built on love, learning, and leadership in Jesus Christ.
Through her anointed preaching and compassionate teaching, she has nurtured countless souls, offering guidance and spiritual renewal. Her leadership is shaped by humility and a deep reverence for God’s word, inspiring others to walk in faith and live with purpose.
THE COUNCILWOMAN
As the Councilwoman for Bridgeport’s 135th District for over 12 years, Pastor McBride-Lee has been a steadfast advocate for her constituents standing for justice, equality, and economic opportunity.
She believes that government is a ministry of service and leads with compassion, accountability, and a commitment to representing every voice in her district. Her tenure reflects her deep-rooted belief that civic leadership is an extension of her calling to serve.
The Educator
Mary A. McBride-Lee devoted more than 35 years to the Bridgeport Public School system, shaping the lives of countless students with her compassion, leadership, and love for learning. As a teacher and mentor, she created a nurturing environment where every child felt seen, valued, and capable of success. Her dedication to education reflects her lifelong belief that knowledge empowers, opportunity transforms, and investing in young people builds stronger communities for generations to come.
COMMUNITY ACTIVIST
From marching across the Edmund Pettus Bridge with John Lewis, and Hosea Williams, to mentoring youth and empowering families, Mary McBride-Lee’s activism spans a lifetime.
Her voice has echoed in classrooms, city halls, and sanctuaries alike, always advocating for equality, education, and dignity. She continues to serve as a living bridge between past and present generations of changemakers.
THE AUTHOR
Pastor Mary A. McBride-Lee is the author of two inspiring works:
- At the Foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge on Bloody Sunday, a powerful memoir capturing her firsthand experience as a young girl in the Civil Rights Movement.
- The Mary McBride-Lee Story: A Child’s View from the Foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge, a children’s adaptation that invites young readers to see history through the eyes of courage and faith.
Through her books, she ensures that the lessons of history live on and that every child learns the power of one voice to change the world.