Elvis - A Lighted Candle

[Blue Moon]

Tupelo Church Opening Ceremony Video
The official opening of the First Assembly of God Church next to the birth house in Tupelo, has been captured on video. The footagem, containing the opening speeches, the gospel moment, and the overwhelming interest of the many fans who attended the Ceremony is available through YouTube. Source: ElvisMatters / Updated: Aug 12, 2008

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cECEK69ecTc

From August 7:

The Elvis Presley Memorial Foundation will open the Church Elvis visited while a boy - which was recently moved to Elvis' birthplace in Tupelo and restored - on August 7, 2008.
Source: Elvis Presley Scrapbook / Updated: Aug 4, 2008

[Wanda June Hill]

Wow, that is really something! I hope that it remains a church and not turn into some kind of relic like thing... but that is amazing that they would move it and restore it for Elvis! But of course, he put Tupelo on the map. Thanks for posting that- some day I will be able to tune in to Youtube and see all this stuff!
wjh

[Sarena]

Thanks so much for posting this, dear Laurie!!!!

[MaryInTheMorning]

WOW! What a wonderful and amazing thing to do for our dear Elvis!! I think he would be so greatful and completely humbled by their efforts on his behalf. Like you dear Wanda, I, too, hope that it remains a church and that it is given proper care and upkeep. Thank you so much sweet Laurie for posting the information and the link to the video for us!!

[Elvis'SweetSweetSpirit]

It sure is a great and wonderful beautiful thing they have done for our precious sweet Elvis!!

I too hope it remains a church thank you Laurie for posting this!!

[FairyTale]

I'm Crying in Happiness, what A Truly Loveing thing to do In Such A Beautiful Tribute to Our Precious Sweet Elvis. When they started to sing How Great Thou Art! I really Lost it! I most certainly Hope and Pray they keep the Church a Church I want to so very Much to go to Tupelo First before Memphis, espeacilly since I have been reading Elvis and Gladys. I could just see that Beautiful Smile on Elvis' Face, and also a Tear Running down his Face seeing what they have done in his Honor in Tupelo. Thank You Laurie for giving us this Video!

[Blue Moon]

Barb/ FairyTale, I found it moving too. Not sure but I think there may have been a clip of Elvis' boyhood home too?? The footage ran by so fast I'm not positive on that, though. And one of the speakers appeared to have been a former member of that church. Very nice ceremony indeed.

[Blue Moon]

I had no idea till I came across the below article that Elvis' boyhood church was converted into a private residence in 1959 and that for 42 years a family lived in it, till it was sold to the Elvis Presley Memorial Foundation. Isn't it interesting that it was a private residence for 42 years, the same length as Elvis' life? I couldn't help but think our bodies are our physical "houses" for our spirits. Then when our bodies die, the spirit moves on. What came to me was that the Tupelo church was a symbol of Elvis' spiritual resting place. He lived on this Earth for 42 years and now he is in his new spiritual resting place.

ELVIS PRESLEY'S CHURCH:From church, to home, to church again
8/11/2008 6:07:35 AM
Daily Journal

PHOTO:Deste Lee
Elvis fans wait to go inside the restored Assembly of God Church of East Tupelo during the 31st annual Elvis Presley Fan Appreciation Day on Saturday in Tupelo at the birthplace site.

BY DANZA JOHNSON
Daily Journal

TUPELO - Lawrence and Martha Stanford have literally lived in history for the past 42 years.

The place they've called home since 1966 also is the place Elvis Presley called his church home as a young boy in Tupelo.

Assembly of God Church of East Tupelo was used until 1959 when it was converted to a home on Berry Street.

The Stanfords sold that home to the Elvis Presley Memorial Foundation, and it was uprooted and transported the short distance to the Elvis Presley museum a few months ago.

On Saturday, the church was unveiled in honor of Tupelo's 31st annual Fan Appreciation Day, marking the Aug. 16, 1977, death of Elvis.

As the Stanfords watched a steady stream of visitors walk through what used to be the living room of their two-bedroom house, they said they were overwhelmed with joy.

"We lived in that house for 42 years and raised two boys there, so it's odd to see it turned back into the church," said Lawrence. "I'm happy that people will get to enjoy it now. We have had a good life in that house."

Lawrence said when he first bought the house, he had no idea of its history, but as strangers started to knock on his door, it didn't take him long to find out.

"We probably were living there 10 years before I knew this was Elvis' church,� said Lawrence. "But somehow other people found out and began to come by and knock on our door to see the house. We got used to it though."

Elvis Presley Foundation President Henry Dodge said Elvis and his birthplace are great attractions for Tupelo.

"Elvis put Tupelo on the map," said Dodge, "and we are proud of the recognition he's given to Tupelo throughout the world. We are proud Tupelo is Elvis' home."

Dodge said the new church exhibit wouldn't have been possible if it had not been for Tupelo�s Guy Harris. Harris, a longtime friend of the King and attendee of the Assembly of God Church, said seeing the church resurrected was a vision he had.

In an emotional speech, Harris told how he contacted Dodge and took him to the then-Stanford home to show him the church. Dodge said that event got the ball rolling on recreating the church.

Harris told how the gospel music that Elvis was exposed to in that church shaped his musical career.

"Elvis loved the music that was sang in that church and Brother Frank Smith gave him his first guitar lesson in that church," said an emotional Harris.
"This was a big part of his life and I�m glad to see it up."

Even though the church is no longer home to the Stanfords, who still live on Berry Street, what it means to the world is more important to them.

"This is everyone's church now," said Lawrence. "It belongs to the world. Now it can be enjoyed for years to come and that makes me feel good."

Contact reporter Danza Johnson at 678-1583 or danza.johnson@djournal.com.

Appeared originally in the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, 8/10/2008,

[FairyTale]

That is really something, want a better home could that family had then the Church that Elvis went to as a Child. Thank You Laurie for finding this Special event , and Sharing.

[Wanda June Hill]

That is amazing! It sure does seem to fit your comments Laurie, about spiritual housing etc:. Just amazing! I can't think of a better word to describe what I felt reading that! wjh

[MaryInTheMorning]

My thanks to you also dear Laurie for finding and posting this wonderful article for us!! I agree with you 100% sweet Wanda with how you described Laurie's beautiful thoughts and comments concerning the article: totally amazing!!

[Rainbow Light]

Many thanks for your posted article and letting us know about this wonderful tribute, dear Laurie!