Elvis Presley's Boyhood Church Where He "Discovered God and Gospel Music" Reopens its Doors to the World
"[We want] to allow the visitor as he sits in the pew to become part of a worship service from an old Assembly of God church back in the 1930's and '40's."
(East Tupelo, Mississippi)—When Elvis Presley was a boy, his family attended a small, simple First Assembly of God chapel in East Tupelo, within walking distance of his home. Inside its walls, says reporter Frank Lockwood, for 13 years the future American icon "discovered God and Gospel music, and learned to strum a guitar and sing." The building later fell into disrepair and was abandoned.
Adds Lockwood: "Closed to the public for more than a half-century, the building was restored this year by the Elvis Presley Memorial Foundation. On Aug. 9, after a brief ceremony and prayer, the historic Pentecostal church will again open its doors to the world." The opening will coincide with Elvis Week 2008, commemorating the 31st anniversary of Presley's death.
As part of its restoration, the Foundation moved the church to the Elvis Presley Birthplace site in January. (Photo: Elvis.com)
According to an article in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Pastor Frank Smith, who died last year at the age of 80, is credited with teaching Presley to play a few basic chords on a guitar.
Gospel music historian, Professor Jim Goff, said, "The congregation had a lifelong impact on young Elvis. In many ways, I think his musical tastes and his understanding of religion and worship, those things had already been formed at the Assembly of God Church in Tupelo before he set off for Memphis and worldwide fame."
Elvis Presley Memorial Foundation director Dick Guyton noted: "[We want] to allow the visitor as he sits in the pew to become part of a worship service from an old Assembly of God church back in the 1930's and '40's."
