Rev. Dr. Henry J. Payden, Sr. was a native of Columbus, Ohio. He was the beloved elder of two (2) sons born to the late William J. and Malinda Payden. He is the loving father of six (6) children – Garnet (deceased), William “Champ” (deceased), Linda, Rev. Henry J., Jr. “Buster”, Wendy, and Paula Champion. He is the loving Grand Father of ten (10) grand children, & a host of great grand children.
He received his elementary through high school education in Columbus, Ohio. In the early 40’s, Rev. Payden was a member of the exclaimed Wings Over Jordan Choir and traveled the country singing spirituals with the first full-time professional African American choir.  Among the universities that Rev. Payden attended include: Capital University as a special student of music; Cleveland Bible College (now Malone University); Case Western Reserve University Graduate internship for Clergymen (pilot program; and Ashland Theological Seminary. From 1967 – 1969 he received specialized training in Urban Ministry from Case Western Reserve University. Among Rev. Payden’s other credentials is certification in Clinical Psychology and Pastoral Counseling (1967-1969) with special emphasis on mental disorders, alcoholics, drugs, and family counseling. He is Past-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Pastoral Psychology Service Institute of Case Western Reserve University. He has been conferred with two Honorary Doctorate Degrees – one from Virginia College and one from Temple College.
Rev. Payden has Pastored in various communities in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Prior to his eternal transition, he was Pastor Emeritus of Holy Trinity Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio. Lead by God he founded, organized, & Pastored Holy Trinity since March 12, 1961. In 1981 ground was broken for a new sanctuary which is currently located at 3808 East 131st Street in Cleveland, Ohio; in April of 1983 that new edifice was dedicated; and on June 1, 2003 Rev. Henry J. Payden, Sr. witnessed the liquidation of the mortgage for that new edifice in a beautiful and spiritual celebration in July of 2003.
Among his civic involvement activities and special recognitions have been: Mt. Pleasant Community Center; Organizer of the United Pastor’s Association; active member of the Multi-Ethnic Health Consortium – Columbus, Ohio; active member of the Rainbow Book Store Advisory Committee; serves on the Board of Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland, Ohio; Chaplain for the Black Shields Police Association of Greater Cleveland; and past Chairman of the Pastors Commission for the Cleveland Board of Education; an active member of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. and Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention. In January 1981, the congregation of Holy Trinity Baptist Church under the leadership & vision of Pastor Henry J. Payden, Sr. built and dedicated a church in Haiti.
Pastor Payden created, developed, and implemented the 1st Christian Cotillion in the City of Cleveland. The Cotillion just be celebrating 29 years.
Rev. Payden has received accolades and honorable recognition for his generous contributions to the community from various civic, state, and local government representatives. Among a few are Ohio governor Robert Taft, U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Mayor Jane Campbell of Cleveland, former Mayor of Cleveland Michael White, the Honorable Louis E. Stokes, former United States Congressman, former President of the United States Jimmie Carter, United Pastors in Mission – Cleveland, Treasurer-State of Ohio Betty L. Montgomery, The American Red Cross Association of Cleveland, Corlett Elementary School, Cuyahoga County Commissioners, Alpha Kappa Alpha “The Word Power Voices Award, and many, many more.
Rev. Henry J. Payden, Sr.’s evangelistic ministry has extended throughout the United States and the power of his anointing can be felt and heard in the echoes of generations to come. He has conducted revivals in over thirty (30) states and well over eighty-eight (88) cities. He has conducted City-Wide Revivals in Augusta, Georgia; Aliquippa, Pennsylvania; Toledo, Ohio; Omaha, Nebraska, ect.
The legacy and legend of Rev. Henry J. Payden, Sr., is undeniable and has been forever etched in history. God anointed him & sustained his life to be able to teach The Word of God in some capacity for over 69 years; and prior to his transition, he was the Oldest Living African-American Baptist Pastor in the City of Cleveland.

May the impact of Rev. Henry J. Payden, Sr.’s love for God, & legacy as a loving Father, Pastor, Pioneer, Visionary, Activist, Leader, Humanitarian, Intellectual, Educator, Counselor, Comedian, Servant, & Friend reverberate in our hearts forever.

Passed away December 28, 2014. Funeral service Saturday, January 3, 2015 11am at Holy Trinity Baptist Church, 3808 E.131st. Family will receive friends at 930am. No public viewing at funeral home.