A Bronx native became the first female priest-in-charge of the Episcopal Church of the Mediator in Riverdale Saturday.

Loyda Morales, 56, came to the Bronx from Puerto Rico in the 1990s and became a member of the church. She became ordained in the priesthood in September 2005. After serving in other parishes, she made her way back to the Bronx this past summer.

"To be the first priest-in-charge, it is of huge significance to me," says Morales. "There's a lot of love and fellowship here."

Since her return in July, she has been credited with renewing the spirit in the congregation and cleaning up the grounds of the church.

The Episcopal Church of the Mediator is 161 years old.