Church is Key to Elvis' Graceland

Elvis Presley image used by permission, Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.

Jan. 9, 2009 — When Elvis Presley purchased Graceland Mansion in 1957, his $102,000 investment was one of three offers on the table, and one of the main reasons he got to buy the now-famous property was his willingness to live near a church.

Ruth Cobb, who grew up in the home after it was built in 1939, told The Memphis Commercial Appeal that Sears Roebuck was interested in the land, as was a developer who wanted to turn Graceland into a high-priced restaurant. At the time, the Graceland Christian Church was interested in buying five of the 20 acres that came with the property. Sears and the restauranteur balked, but Elvis had no problem living near a church: He got the house.

Elvis, who would have turned 74 on Thursday, made major changes to the mansion, which Ruth calls "just a comfortable old country home." He had fabric hung on the ceiling in at least one room, and turned one of the biggest areas in the building into the Jungle Room, where he recorded two of his hits: "Moody Blue" and "Way Down."

Ruth wasn’t particularly fond of some of the changes. He took down a chandelier that was previously in the home and, she said, "put up some garish thing." She has, nevertheless, brought her grandchildren back to Graceland to take a tour.

"I thoroughly enjoyed it," she said, "but it didn't feel like home."

Many people have taken similar tours of Graceland, including such famous folks as Deana Carter, Loretta Lynn, Charlie Daniels, Randy Owen, Gretchen Wilson, Robert Plant and President George W. Bush. Martina McBride also visited the property in November to throw the switch on the annual "Blue Christmas" light display.

Priscilla Presley returned to the mansion on Thursday, the Associated Press reported, and led fans in a round of "Happy Birthday" to the King.