King Louis H. Narcisse was the founder and self-declared monarch of the Mount Zion Spiritual Temple of Detroit and Oakland, California. Born in Louisiana, King Louis moved to San Francisco during World War II, where he found work in the Hunter's Plant shipyards. In 1945 he opened a storefront church in West Oakland, which soon became a spiritual center for the city's African-American community. King Louis was a talented Gospel singer who recorded many albums for Bay Area-based labels, and a charismatic religious leader who emphasized the power of healing and forgiveness in the Christian tradition, using the slogan, "It's Nice to Be Nice." He eventually became wealthy and influential, living in a mansion in the tony Piedmont district, owning several limousines, and decking himself out in silk robes and expensive jewelry. Crowning himself "King" in 1955, Narcisse became an influential figure, broadcasting a national radio show and meeting with powerful Bay Area politicians. He is remembered today as a flamboyant African-American spiritual leader in the style of Father Divine or Daddy Grace, and a Gospel singer who worked with such notable figures as Mahalia Jackson and "Little Richard" Penniman.
King Louis H. Narcisse was the founder and self-declared monarch of the Mount Zion Spiritual Temple of Detroit and Oakland, California. Born in Louisiana, King Louis moved to San Francisco during World War II, where he found work in the Hunter's Plant shipyards. In 1945 he opened a storefront church in West Oakland, which soon became a spiritual center for the city's African-American community. King Louis was a talented Gospel singer who recorded many albums for Bay Area-based labels, and a charismatic religious leader who emphasized the power of healing and forgiveness in the Christian tradition, using the slogan, "It's Nice to Be Nice." He eventually became wealthy and influential, living in a mansion in the tony Piedmont district, owning several limousines, and decking himself out in silk robes and expensive jewelry. Crowning himself "King" in 1955, Narcisse became an influential figure, broadcasting a national radio show and meeting with powerful Bay Area politicians. He is remembered today as a flamboyant African-American spiritual leader in the style of Father Divine or Daddy Grace, and a Gospel singer who worked with such notable figures as Mahalia Jackson and "Little Richard" Penniman.
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