Bishop Doyle Douglas Davis Sr. Dies at 92; Former UPCI Leader Founded Multiple Churches Including Bethel UPC in New York

Bishop Doyle Douglas Davis Sr. was born on November 14, 1932, in Newton County, Texas. The son of Cecil S. Davis, a Pentecostal minister, and Eva Herrin Davis, he demonstrated early talent in sports and music, creating several musical recordings with his brother and father during his teenage years. At 17, he began traveling as an evangelist and received his ministerial license with the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI) at age 18. He was ordained as a minister in 1957.

Bishop Davis married Betty Joyce Bond of Haynesville, Louisiana, on September 3, 1951. The couple had three sons: Douglas Jr., who serves as Bishop of Bethel United Pentecostal Church in Old Westbury, New York; Dan Eugene, Senior Pastor of First United Pentecostal Church of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and Curtis Wendell, who holds the positions of Director of Christian Education and Data Operations Manager at Bethel UPC in Old Westbury.

In 1951, Bishop Davis and his brother, Cecil, founded a church in Henderson, Texas. He ministered there for two years, successfully growing the congregation. He then served as an Assistant Minister at Calvary Tabernacle in South Bend, Indiana, for five years, during which his musical talents as a singer, musician, and choir director gained recognition.

In 1958, Bishop Davis founded Calvary Pentecostal Church in Fort Worth, Texas. Over the next decade, the congregation expanded rapidly, outgrowing three buildings. During this time, he also served as a presbyter of the Texas District of the UPCI. He and his musical groups traveled extensively across the country, performing and recording several long-play albums with artists such as Murrell and Joan Ewing, and Vesta Mangun.

Feeling a call to establish a church in New York, Bishop Davis relocated his family from Texas to Long Island on July 1, 1968. The congregation grew quickly, outgrowing four buildings. Today, Bethel United Pentecostal Church in Old Westbury maintains a 20-acre facility, serving over 1000 individuals.

Throughout his ministry, Bishop Davis held various district and national positions within the UPCI. He served as District Superintendent of the New York State District and as Global Missions Director of the New York Metro District. His leadership and service left a lasting impact on the church and its congregations.

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