A Bible once owned by Elvis Presley, complete with his handwritten notes, is on display this week at Needham Market Evangelical Church in Suffolk as part of the church’s centenary celebrations.
The exhibition, running until Friday, features a rare collection of Bibles loaned from the Museum of the Book in London, including a 16th-century "chained Bible" from the time of Henry VIII, John Bunyan’s personal Bible, and even an original Torah scroll.
Pastor Gary Stevens, who was inducted to the church this year, said he was “thrilled to include Elvis's Bible in the display”.
“I didn’t think we’d get a Bible like that in Suffolk and the personal notes from Elvis are quite moving”, he added.
The Bible, gifted to Presley by his aunt and uncle at Christmas in 1957, sheds light on the faith of the man known as the "King of Rock and Roll."
Pastor Stevens said: “Most people think of Elvis as a rebel, but he was brought up in a very devout Christian home and clearly had a relationship with God.”
He added: “Interestingly, Elvis never won a Grammy for Rock ’n’ Roll, but he did win three for his gospel songs. You could say he was the King of gospel, too.”
The exhibition that is open 2-5pm daily, has 23 rare artefacts and Bibles on display and Pastor Stevens said it’s attracted non-believers too.
“We’ve had a few Elvis fans come to the church and people from all over East Anglia and London”.
A special anniversary service will take place at the church in Suffolk on Saturday at 4pm.