Louis H. Narcisse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Grace Bishop King Louis H. Narcisse |
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|---|---|
| Church | Mt. Zion Spiritual Church, Inc. |
| Enthroned | 1943/45 |
| Reign ended | 1989 |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Louis Herbert Narcisse |
| Born | April 27, 1921 New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Died | February 3, 1989 (aged 67) Detroit, Michigan |
| Buried | Rolling Hills Memorial Park Richmond, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Denomination | Baptist Spiritual Church Movement |
| Residence | Oakland, California Detroit, Michigan |
| Parents | Stella and Jesse Narcisse |
| Occupation | Pastor vocalist musician gospel singer composer |
| Profession | Shipyard worker |
| Motto | It's nice, to be nice" |
Louis H. Narcisse (born April 27, 1921 – died February 3, 1989) was an important American religious leader. He was also known as King Louis H. Narcisse. He started the Mt. Zion Spiritual Church. He believed that other famous religious leaders like Father Divine and Daddy Grace had prepared the way for his work.
Narcisse was a spiritual healer and organizer in Oakland, California. He was also a gospel minister, singer, musician, and songwriter. He often worked with the famous gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. He was the uncle of another well-known gospel singer, Bessie Griffin. Both Narcisse and Griffin passed away in 1989, just days apart.
Early Life of Louis Narcisse
Louis Herbert Narcisse was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on April 27, 1921. His father, Jesse Narcisse, died in a ship accident before Louis was born. Louis was the youngest of four children. His family was very religious and belonged to the Baptist church.
From a young age, Louis felt a special connection to God. His family quickly realized he was a very special child. He was a quiet child who loved to pray and sing spiritual songs. People in New Orleans first noticed his singing talent when he was a teenager. He won five radio auditions and became a soloist for church services and funerals.
Starting His Ministry
In the summer of 1939, at 18 years old, Narcisse began his work as a Christian minister. During World War II, he moved to California because he felt God called him there. He found a job as an electrical worker at Hunter's Point Shipyards in San Francisco. He earned $85 a week, which was a good salary at the time. He lived in a housing project built for war workers.
The Mt. Zion movement started with a small prayer meeting in South San Francisco, California. From there, Narcisse officially founded the Mount Zion Spiritual Temple in Oakland on November 8, 1945. The church's motto was "It's nice to be nice." He named it after his childhood church in New Orleans, Mt. Zion Baptist Church. However, his Mount Zion Spiritual Temple was a Spiritualist church. It was part of the African-American Spiritual Church Movement. As more people learned about him, his popularity grew. He led several churches in Oakland, Sacramento, Houston, and Detroit, traveling between them often.
His Passing
Louis H. Narcisse died on February 3, 1989. He passed away from a heart attack in his home in Detroit. He was buried at Rolling Hills Memorial Park in Richmond, California.
Music by Louis Narcisse
Louis H. Narcisse released several gospel albums during his career. Here are some of his recordings:
- 1950: Rev. Louis Narcisse
- 1951: Rev. Louis Narcisse & the Celestial Tones
- 1953: Bishop Narcisse
- 1955: Bishop Louis H. Narcisse and Mt. Zion Spiritual Choir
- 1959: Bishop H. Narcisse
- 1959: King Louis H. Narcisse & His Wings of Faith Choir
- 1960: Leaning on Jesus
- 1962/64: His Grace King Louis H. Narcisse
