Bishop William H.

Henderson

Bishop William Henry Smith-Henderson was born May 7, 1935 in the city of Buffalo, NY.
Reared by Elder Thomas and Mother Pearl Henderson. He was given the name Henderson as a
signifier for those who raised him. Bishop Henderson spent his early years at Bethel Tabernacle,
United Holy Church of America.

In the year of 1950, in an all-night prayer service at New Jerusalem, located on 84 Simon
Avenue, Lackawanna, NY, Bishop Henderson received a vivid and lasting call to the ministry. In
the summer of 1951 he began a very active street ministry, much of which placed him on the
corners of the city’s east side, radically proclaiming the transformation of the Gospel of Jesus
Christ.

Upon his graduation from Hutchinson Central High school he was blessed to attend Houghton
College. Running into a lack of funds he transferred to the Randolph Coleman School where he
received a full diploma in Theology. He also pursued and received a B.S. degree in Nursing from
The University of Buffalo. By 1959 Bishop Henderson was appointed Pastor of El-Bethel
Assembly by Elder Mother Berther Amos. The beginning of his ministry was augmented by
continuous moments of fasting and prayer, much of which were 40 days and 40 nights without
food or water. True fasting brings about miracles and the revelatory nature of God our Father!

With humble beginnings in a store front church, Bishop William Henderson and Mother Berther
Amos witnessed many miracles and the spiritual outpouring of the Holy Ghost. In the early
1960s God allowed the congregation of El-Bethel Assembly to become owners of 511 Michigan
Avenue, Buffalo, NY, a black historical landmark. El-Bethel Assembly continues to occupy this
significant black historical church. It was built by African Americans and continues to stand as
such. This historical landmark was shelter for those making their way up the Underground
Railroad, seeking refuge and safe passageway to Canada. Bishop Henderson is thankful for his
relationship with Antioch Baptist Church leadership as they entrusted him with this historical
jewel to our city.

Bishop Henderson’s ministry has taken him worldwide, settling ministries in Jamaica, Trinidad
West Indies, Nigeria West Africa, and Ghana West Africa. He has ministered actively with the
Jewish believers in Russia and on the hilltops of Jerusalem. His ministry has taken him to places
across our nation, from the East to the West.

He has a young wife, Dianna Henderson of 37 years begetting two sons, Addison Henderson and
Dwand Stevens Henderson, one daughter Rachel Henderson, and four grandchildren. He is
thankful to have one remaining sister, Mildred Walker.

To God be the glory for all he’s done and will continue to do!