The Anglican Elvis

From here:

Atop his head is, what he calls, North America’s biggest comb-over. In his wallet is a Memphis sheriff’s badge, an honour bestowed upon him by the city where he preaches and performs several times a year. In the palm of his hand is a congregation that really does love him tender.

Elvis Priestley isn’t just in the building; he’s filling it with charisma, boundless joy and a heartfelt, deep-knee-bending rendition of “How Great Thou Art,” a gospel number once recorded by some other guy named Elvis.

It’s Sunday morning at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 426 in Newmarket. It’s where Priestley — a.k.a. Archbishop Dorian Baxter — has been holding services since 2003 when he founded Christ the King, Graceland, Independent Anglican Church of Canada.

But this day is special. For the first time since Baxter was forced out of the mainstream Anglican Church for the Elvisian spin he put on his sermons, the birthday of the real Elvis Presley falls on the anniversary of his church. Presley would have been 77 on Sunday.

Fancy that: forced out of the Anglican Church of Canada for his “Elvisian spin”. So much for inclusion.

 

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