Pastor Henry McKenzie Davis

Henry MacKenzie Davis is the son of a Baptist minister from Rockville, Maryland. He began playing the piano at age 4, composed his first song at age 5, and was presented in his first concert at age 6. Pastor Davis received his formal music training from the Cleveland Music Settlement House, Cleveland, Ohio; Montgomery College, Rockville, Maryland, and Howard University, Washington, D.C.

While attending Howard University, Mr. Davis was a student of the distinguished African-American composer, pianist and organist Professor Thomas Kerr. Pastor Davis was a founding member, original pianist, and principal composer for the renowned Howard Gospel Choir—the first African-American gospel choir in the country. Pastor Davis has provided musical support to several ministries. He has served as director, pianist and composer for the Calvary Crusaders of Rockville, Maryland, who in 1972 were voted the “Best Mixed Group” by the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) in Los Angeles, California, an original member and the pianist for the legendary voices-Supreme, an all-male trio from Washington, D.C. who for five consecutive years were voted the “Best male Gospel Group” in America by the GMWA. Pastor Davis provided the original musical foundation for such gospel classics as “God Is” and “Give Yourself To Jesus”, composed by the group’s founder, the late Dr. Robert J Fryson. For over 20 years, Pastor Davis served as personal pianist to Pastor/Evangelist Archie Dennis, Jr. and as crusade pianist/organist to Evangelist Morris Cerullo.

Pastor Davis has received numerous awards and recognition for his musical compositions. His “Great Celebration” an original Christmas musical, was produced by WQED-TV in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1987. Since its initial presentation, it has been annually broadcasted during the Christmas season. In 1993, Pastor Davis was commissioned by the Smithsonian Institute's Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon to arrange, conduct and record Thomas Dorsey’s classic gospel song “Peace In The Valley”. This rendition was included in a 26-part radio series entitled “Wade In The Water...African American Sacred Music Tradition”. This series later won a Peabody Award. In 1997 this arrangement was featured in the television movie “The Ditch Digger’s Daughters”. He also performed in the documentary on the “100 Years of Development of the Piano” and was elected to the Smithsonian Institute Piano Hall of Fame.

Pastor Davis has ministered nationally and internationally. His travels include: London, England (Royal Albert’s Hall); Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, West Indies (Queen’s Hall); the world’s largest outdoor stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Carnegie Hall, New York City; the Kennedy Center, Constitution Hall and the ford’s Theater in Washington, D.C.; New Zealand, Nigeria, South Africa, Scotland, Wales, Canada, India, and Zimbabwe.

Of all his great accomplishments, Pastor Davis is proudest of being a 1990 graduate of the Peniel Drug & Alcohol Residential Treatment Center in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He currently serves as Administrator/ Counselor (earning certification as Level 2 Associate Addiction Counselor); Graduation Chairman for the last 6 years and is the Administrative Liaison for the Peniel Alumni Connection (organization for graduates/alumni of the program).

It should be noted that the Peniel Praise Community Church, where Bishop Harold and Dr. Marion Spellman serve as pastors are proud to acknowledge Pastor Henry Davis as the Assistant Pastor as well as the Minister of Music.

Pastor Davis has released several best selling albums and is currently working on an instrumental CD.