Elvis was raised in the Christian faith and considered himself a believer his whole life. Let’s take a closer look at Elvis’ religious upbringing and how his faith influenced his career and music.

Elvis’ Early Years

Elvis Presley was born in 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi to Vernon and Gladys Presley. His family was very poor and moved around a lot when Elvis was a kid. No matter where they lived, Gladys made sure Elvis and his family went to church on Sundays.

The Presleys attended the First Assembly of God church in East Tupelo. The lively, musical church services made a huge impression on the young Elvis. He loved hearing the preacher’s sermons and the choir sing. Gospel music became Elvis’ favorite type of music.

When Elvis was 13, his family moved to Memphis, Tennessee. They went to different Christian churches around Memphis, but Elvis’ passion for gospel music continued. As a teenager, he sang gospel tunes with his friends at school and around the neighborhood.

Elvis Faces Controversy for Rock and Roll

Everything changed when Elvis walked into Sun Records to record a song for his mother’s birthday in 1953. Label owner Sam Phillips realized Elvis had an amazing voice and convinced him to record his first single “That’s All Right.”

Elvis’ music career took off quickly after that. His energetic stage presence and rockabilly music caused quite a stir among parents and church leaders. Many Christian churches shunned Elvis and rock and roll as “the devil’s music.”

Elvis faced a lot of criticism from religious folks early on and was even sometimes turned away from churches. But he defended his faith, saying: “I don’t think God meant rock and roll to be evil…Rock and roll is basically gospel or rhythm and blues.”

Elvis Remains Devout in His Faith

Even as he toured the world as a huge celebrity, Elvis remained deeply devoted to his faith. He brought his personal Bible everywhere, read it daily, and even underlined meaningful passages. Before every concert, he would bow his head in a quick, private prayer asking for God’s blessing.

Elvis recorded several gospel albums because those songs were closest to his heart. His gospel hits like “Crying in the Chapel” and “How Great Thou Art” won him Grammy Awards.

Elvis loved singing about God and said gospel music was like “singing the Bible.” He never went to church as an adult though, worried he would distract people from focusing on God.

The Impact of Gospel Music

So what religion was Elvis Presley? Elvis considered himself a Christian believer his entire life. He was baptized twice – once as a Pentecostal and again in the Baptist church. He grew up on gospel songs in church and recorded albums of his favorite hymns.

Some religious people criticized Elvis’ music and image early on. But rock and roll did not shake Elvis’ devotion to his faith. From his childhood in poverty to his years as a global superstar, Elvis’ belief in God guided him. Gospel music was his favorite way to express his spirituality.

Elvis’ faith may have looked different than a preacher’s or the Pope’s. But in many ways, the King of Rock and Roll had the heart of a pastor who found purpose praising God. Elvis’ religion was a deeply personal relationship with God. Gospel music was central to that connection – the sound of his soul.