Memories of King Narcisse

Photo Courtesy of E. F. Joseph Taken April 27,1961

MEMORIES OF
THE LATE KING L. H. NARCISSE
By
Shirley Vayson

King Narcisse was born Louis Herbert Narcisse on April 27, 1921 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was the youngest son of Stella and Jesse Narcisse. His father, Jesse passed before his birth.

The youngest of four siblings, King Narcisse came from a deeply religious family. His mother, the late Mrs. Stella Rogers, traveled extensively with him as he performed his evangelistic work.

King Narcisse was called into the ministry in the summer of 1939. The Lord spoke to him in 1943, saying go to California and establish a temple and help my people. In 1945, the Mt. Zion Spiritual Temple was founded by King Narcisse. He established the temple upon Isaiah 37:32, “For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion: the zeal of the Lord of hosts shall do this.” The Mt. Zion Spiritual Temple grew into over 10 temples. King Narcisse developed a following of over 250,000 in the Unite States.

King Narcisse’s favorite scripture was Psalms 27:1 ”The Lord is my light and my salvation who shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” With his motto: “Its Nice to be Nice”, he has taught thousands that in order to be respected you must first show dignity and pride. He also taught that you should never be in such a hurry that you cannot lend your fellowman a helping hand.

Through the prayers on King Narcisse many have been helped. He restored sight to the blind, cured the sick of incurable diseases such as asthma, epilepsy, and cancer through prayer and the laying on of hands. King Narcisse prayed at the bedside of Mr. James Kilgore after the doctor had pronounced him dead for his life and he was brought back to life. I too have been blessed by his prayers. I have a son who stopped breathing in my arms when he was 7 weeks old. The doctors thought he would be dead in 3 hours. Through my faith and the prayers of King Narcisse, I can say that my son Aaron is alive today, in 2007 at age 39. His doctors still can’t explain why he is here, but Thank God he is!

Under King Narcisse’s leadership, thousands received free “blessed” bread on Monday’s and were feed free meals each Tuesday. Thousands of persons have been help through drinking the “blessed water”. Each Sunday-night, he would always ask his radio audience to place a glass of water of the top of their radio during the regular broadcast on radio station KDIA. Just before he went off the air, he would say “God Bless the Water”.

King Narcisse, received the keys to several cities including Oakland, San Francisco and Vallejo California from their Mayors. Many citations of merit and awards were given to him. This great spiritual leader attended the Inauguration of the late President John F. Kennedy. The late Mayor Lionel Wilson of Oakland, California sent greetings to King Narcisse that read: “Our community has benefited greatly from the fine Christian influence your Temple has exerted through the years, and the many facets of its outreach and practiced assistance of those in need.”

King Narcisse is responsible for the development of the Spiritual Movement. This movement was document and incorporated in the State of California and in the nation’s capital of Washington, D.C., as a spiritual religion.

Thousands marveled at the voice of King Narcisse, who was a trained musician. King Narcisse studied music for two in Boston. He was an accomplished pianist and organist. His musical career began in New Orleans as a child in the Mt. Zion Baptist Church. In the 1950’s and 1960’s, he recorded with his choir (The Wings of Faith) several gospel songs which he wrote/arranged. King Narcisse was approached several times by recording producers asking him to record the blues. He always was polite, but turned them down as the Lord had a higher calling for him.

His voice was so smooth that if you were distressed about any thing, the sound of it would calm you down. When he sang, not matter how hard you tried, you could not resist the temptation to clap your hands or tap your feet to the beat of his music. King Narcisse appeared in concert such cities as New Orleans, New York, Chicago, Oakland, and San Francisco. He used his talents to train and help others get their start in the music industry. These included Mildred Fall, the pianist for late great Mahalia Jackson.

The list of his recordings includes such gospel songs as: Somebody Cares; My Mind is Standing on Jesus; Pass Me Not, O Gentle Saviour; and Get Back Jordan. King Narcisse is most know for singing, his motto, IT’S SO NICE TO BE NICE, and his theme song, Leaning on Jesus, Give Me Two Wings, Jesus I Can’t Forget You, and Move Up a Little Higher.

“His Grace King” Dr. Louis H. Narcisse died in Detroit, Michigan on Friday, February 3, 1989. Though he is no longer physically present, he is present in the hearts and minds of many of his followers.

		About Us Photo Courtesy of E. F. Joseph Taken April 27,1961 MEMORIES OF THE LATE KING L. H. NARCISSE By Shirley Vayson King Narcisse was born Louis Herbert Narcisse on April 27, 1921 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was the youngest son of Stella and Jesse Narcisse. His father, Jesse passed before his birth. The youngest of four siblings, King Narcisse came from a deeply religious family. His mother, the late Mrs. Stella Rogers, traveled extensively with him as he performed his evangelistic work. King Narcisse was called into the ministry in the summer of 1939. The Lord spoke to him in 1943, saying go to California and establish a temple and help my people. In 1945, the Mt. Zion Spiritual Temple was founded by King Narcisse. He established the temple upon Isaiah 37:32, “For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion: the zeal of the Lord of hosts shall do this.” The Mt. Zion Spiritual Temple grew into over 10 temples. King Narcisse developed a following of over 250,000 in the Unite States. King Narcisse’s favorite scripture was Psalms 27:1 ”The Lord is my light and my salvation who shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” With his motto: “Its Nice to be Nice”, he has taught thousands that in order to be respected you must first show dignity and pride. He also taught that you should never be in such a hurry that you cannot lend your fellowman a helping hand. Through the prayers on King Narcisse many have been helped. He restored sight to the blind, cured the sick of incurable diseases such as asthma, epilepsy, and cancer through prayer and the laying on of hands. King Narcisse prayed at the bedside of Mr. James Kilgore after the doctor had pronounced him dead for his life and he was brought back to life. I too have been blessed by his prayers. I have a son who stopped breathing in my arms when he was 7 weeks old. The doctors thought he would be dead in 3 hours. Through my faith and the prayers of King Narcisse, I can say that my son Aaron is alive today, in 2007 at age 39. His doctors still can’t explain why he is here, but Thank God he is! Under King Narcisse’s leadership, thousands received free “blessed” bread on Monday’s and were feed free meals each Tuesday. Thousands of persons have been help through drinking the “blessed water”. Each Sunday-night, he would always ask his radio audience to place a glass of water of the top of their radio during the regular broadcast on radio station KDIA. Just before he went off the air, he would say “God Bless the Water”. King Narcisse, received the keys to several cities including Oakland, San Francisco and Vallejo California from their Mayors. Many citations of merit and awards were given to him. This great spiritual leader attended the Inauguration of the late President John F. Kennedy. The late Mayor Lionel Wilson of Oakland, California sent greetings to King Narcisse that read: “Our community has benefited greatly from the fine Christian influence your Temple has exerted through the years, and the many facets of its outreach and practiced assistance of those in need.” King Narcisse is responsible for the development of the Spiritual Movement. This movement was document and incorporated in the State of California and in the nation’s capital of Washington, D.C., as a spiritual religion. Thousands marveled at the voice of King Narcisse, who was a trained musician. King Narcisse studied music for two in Boston. He was an accomplished pianist and organist. His musical career began in New Orleans as a child in the Mt. Zion Baptist Church. In the 1950’s and 1960’s, he recorded with his choir (The Wings of Faith) several gospel songs which he wrote/arranged. King Narcisse was approached several times by recording producers asking him to record the blues. He always was polite, but turned them down as the Lord had a higher calling for him. His voice was so smooth that if you were distressed about any thing, the sound of it would calm you down. When he sang, not matter how hard you tried, you could not resist the temptation to clap your hands or tap your feet to the beat of his music. King Narcisse appeared in concert such cities as New Orleans, New York, Chicago, Oakland, and San Francisco. He used his talents to train and help others get their start in the music industry. These included Mildred Fall, the pianist for late great Mahalia Jackson. The list of his recordings includes such gospel songs as: Somebody Cares; My Mind is Standing on Jesus; Pass Me Not, O Gentle Saviour; and Get Back Jordan. King Narcisse is most know for singing, his motto, IT’S SO NICE TO BE NICE, and his theme song, Leaning on Jesus, Give Me Two Wings, Jesus I Can’t Forget You, and Move Up a Little Higher. “His Grace King” Dr. Louis H. Narcisse died in Detroit, Michigan on Friday, February 3, 1989. Though he is no longer physically present, he is present in the hearts and minds of many of his followers. Personalized Baptism Gifts - Over 20 unique personalized gift stores for all events & occasions!