Elvis Presley, the "King of Rock n' Roll" known for his popular mix of the black and white sound and his roots in gospel music, is being celebrated this week, the 31st anniversary of his death.

The celebration includes the reopening of the Tupelo, Miss., pentecostal church where he learned to sing gospel music.

The restored church looks a lot like it did on Jan. 8, 1935, the day Presley was born in Tupelo, says a Religion News Service story.

Visitors to the historic church museum will be able to watch a DVD presentation about the church that includes gospel music.

While Presley in his latter years was known for singing black blues and rock n' roll, with such hits as "Jailhouse Rock," "Hound Dog," and "Love Me Tender," it was his gospel music that won him three Grammys.

According to the Web site beliefnet.com, Presley received 14 Grammy nominations and won three: for the album How Great Thou Art in 1967, for
He Touched Me in 1972 and his live recording of "How Great Thou Art" in 1974.

Presley died on Aug. 16, 1977.

To read the Religion News Stories, click here.

To learn more about Elvis Week activities in Memphis, click here.