Bishop Curtis Dance, Sr., affectionately known to all as “Pop,” was born on May 8, 1916 to the late Willie and Mary Dance in Orange County, Virginia, where he was raised and educated. He was the youngest of thirteen siblings.

In the late 1930’s, Bishop Dance moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he worked in the steel mills and then migrated to New York City and worked as a longshoreman, mechanic, chauffer and a manager of property. His greatest occupation was that of Pasto and Servant. “For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? Is not he that sitteth at meat? But I am among you as he that serveth.” St. Luke 22:27

It was here in Brooklyn, New York that Bishop Dance heard the late Bishop Bridges preach the baptism in Jesus. After hearing him preach, he was baptized in Jesus’ name, and subsequently received the gift of the Holy Ghost. In 1943, Bishop Dance met and married Mother Betty Dance. From this rich religious heritage came forth 10 children, Curtis R., Leonard G., Priscilla G., Alan (presently with the Lord), Barbara J., Alphonso B., Michael L. (presently with the Lord), Mark S., Glen N. (presently with the Lord) and Bette A.; three of whom entered the gospel ministry. They are Elder Curtis R. Dance, Jr., Elder Mark S. Dance, Sr. and Evangelist Alphonso B. Dance, Sr.

On May 3, 1951, a young minister, dynamic revivalist and guitarist, Elder Curtis Dance, Sr. along with his wife, Sister Betty Dance, an outstanding vocalist, choir director, musician and missionary, accepted the call from God and began their pastoral ministry.

Along with Elder and Sister Dance were four members who accepted Christ while attending one of the many revivals conducted by Elder Curtis Dance Sr,. These members, Evelyn Austin, Mary Davidson, Mable Grantham and Lenore Griffin, were instrumental in the organization of the Apostolic Holiness Union House of Prayer, Inc., also known as Mt. Holy Apostolic Church. The first church was located on Marcy Avenue in Brooklyn, New York. Subsequent church sites were on Sumner Avenue, Nostrand Avenue and Gates Avenue in Brooklyn, New York.

On February 12, 1978, Elder Curtis Dance, Sr., and annointed man of God, was elevated to the office of Bishop. While on Gates Avenue, Bishop Dance decided it was time to move to another location to further expand the gospel of Jesus Christ. One Sunday morning, Bishop Dance had a vision and went walking through the community. Bishop Dance stopped in front of a building and began to speak to God. As he stood in front of the building praying, a gentleman by the name of Mr. Oliver approached him and told him the owner was looking to sell this particular property and asked Bishop Dance if he was interested. Bishop Dance said yes and returned to service on that same Sunday morning and shared his vsion with the church. An old automobile garage was found on Tompkins Avenue in Brooklyn, New York. The building was in a dreadful state of disrepair, but once again, Bishop Dance had a vision. He generated his enthusisiasm for turning the old garage into a house of worship and the people caught the vision. Today the converted garage is the home of Mt. Holy Church.

One of the highlights of their ministry is the fulfillment of the scripture Acts 2:28, “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Presently, their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren as well as a host of spiritual children have accepted Christ as their personal Savior. As a result, many have become outstanding leaders in the Christian community.