nothin Bishop Ivory Willis Holden | New Haven Independent

Bishop Ivory Willis Holden

Bishop Ivory Willis Holden of New Haven entered into peaceful rest Feb. 2 at Yale New Haven Hospital with his loving, devoted wife by his side.

Bishop Holden was born in Dumas, Ark., on April 27, 1932. He was the youngest son of the late Diana Griffin and William Holden. He was a man among men; a true servant of God, exemplary advocate for the downtrodden and a disciple of Christ. Educated in the Dumas public school system, Bishop Holden graduated salutatorian of his high school class. He furthered his education in Arkansas at A&M State College in Pine Bluff, majoring and excelling in mathematics and finance.

After relocating to Connecticut in 1953, he was ordained as an Elder in the Church of God in Christ in 1965. He served under the leadership of the late Bishop C.H. Brewer, Sr., and later under the leadership of his comrade, Bishop C.H. Brewer, Jr. at Trinity Temple COGIC in New Haven. Positions held included: State Sunday School Superintendent, Chairman of Finance, District Superintendent, Administrative Assistant and Chairman of the United State Auxiliaries Convention (USAC). He also served as the Assistant Pastor of Williams Temple COGIC in Ansonia.

In 1994, he was elevated to the COGIC Bishopric and given jurisdiction over the state of Vermont. Bishop Holden has served on various local religious and civic committees and boards including the Council of Churches, the United Way, the American Red Cross, the Adult Literacy Program, the East Side Community Council and Isaiah 61:1, Inc. He was a lifetime member of the NAACP and a co-founder of the African American Family Forum and of the Association of Pentecostal Pastors, Evangelists and Laity (A.P.P.E.A.L.).

For six years, he served as the president of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Greater Bridgeport and Vicinity (IMA). He faithfully served as the beloved Pastor of Holy Tabernacle COGIC in Bridgeport for over 40 years. From 1979 to 1994, Bishop Holden also served as the Pastor of Holy Temple COGIC in South Norwalk.

Bishop Holden served the national Church of God in Christ in various capacities, including: Financial Secretary for the International Sunday School Convention, Member of the Constitutional Committee, Financier for the United National Auxiliaries Convention (UNAC), and Chairman of Finance for the National Departments of Missions and Evangelism. He also served as the president of the New England COGIC Bishops Council (NECBC) since its inception in 2003.

Besides his loving wife, Evangelist Missionary Barbara E. Holden, he leaves: sons, Judge William (Marilyn) of Bridgeport, Clarence (Sondra) of Houston, Tex., Gary Holden (Annie) of Detroit, Mich., Eudell S (Sharon) and Jonathan T.S. McKinnie of New Haven; daughters, Patricia Ginyard (Pastor Kevin), Phyllis Foster (Minister Carl) of Kissimmee, Fla., Linda Holden of West Haven, Stephanie and Tina Marie Holden, Valerie and Sandra McKinnie all of New Haven; and a host of loving sisters, brothers, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other cherished relatives and friends.

A public viewing will be held Feb. 10 from 3-9 pm. at the Holy Tabernacle COGIC, 2271 North Avenue, Bridgeport. A second public viewing will take place Feb. 11 at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, 729 Union Avenue, Bridgeport, from 3-6 p.m., with a celebratory service beginning at 7 p.m. The National Home Going Celebration will take place Feb. 12 at 9 a.m. at Trinity Temple COGIC, 285 Dixwell Avenue, New Haven, with His Grace, the Most Reverend Charles E. Blake, Presiding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ, Inc., officiating.

Interment will take place at Beaverdale Memorial Park, New Haven. Services by Howard K. Hill Funeral Services, 1287 Chapel Street, New Haven. To leave a message of comfort to the Holden family, please visit, www.hkhfuneralservices.com.

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