Louis H. Narcisse

Louis H. Narcisse (April 27, 1921 – February 3, 1989), also known as King Louis H. Narcisse, was an American religious leader and the founder of the Mt. Zion Spiritual Church. He claimed religious leaders of the time such as Father Divine, Daddy Grace and, James F. Jones were his divine predecessors.

He was an organizer and spiritual healer in Oakland, California. He was also a gospel minister, vocalist, musician, and composer with whom gospel singer Mahalia Jackson often collaborated. He was the uncle of renowned African-American gospel singer Bessie Griffin (July 6, 1922 – April 10, 1989). They died within months of each other in 1989.

Early life Louis Herbert Narcisse was born on April 27, 1921, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Stella Narcisse. His father, Jesse Narcisse, was killed in a shipboard accident before his birth. The youngest of four siblings, Narcisse came from a devout Baptist family. At an early age, Narcisse believed that he had been touched by the hand of God. His singing talents were first locally recognized in New Orleans when he was a teenager, where Narcisse won five radio auditions. As a teen, he became a soloist at church services and funerals.

Ministry At 18 years old, Narcisse entered into the Christian ministry in the summer of 1939. Narcisse migrated to California during World War II when he said that God spoke to him to come to California. He found a job in Hunter's Point Shipyards in San Francisco, California as an electrical worker earning $85 a week. He lived at a Hunter's Point World War II Housing Project. He was interred at Rolling Hills Memorial Park in Richmond, California.

Discography

1950: Rev. Louis Narcisse 1951: Rev. Louis Narcisse & the Celestial Tones 1953: Bishop Narcisse 1955: Bishop Louis H. Narcisse and Mt. Zion Spiritual Choir 1959: Bishop H. Narcisse 1959: King Louis H. Narcisse & His Wings of Faith Choir 1960: Leaning on Jesus 1962/64: His Grace King Louis H. Narcisse