Memphis, Tennessee - Coin-Operated Elvis Shrine

The First Church of Elvis Impersonator is no longer (you could get married at Java by Java's owner Tommy, as Elvis). But one of the main attractions is still right down the street -- the quarter operated shrine to Elvis (think folk art) is in Goner Records. [shannon Dixon, 07/02/2005]

Sadly, First Church of the Elvis Impersonator is no more. The fine folks at the Java Cabana in Midtown informed us that the church is gone and the Elvis shrine is now located at the Center for Southern Culture on Beale Street. [Velvet Hellvis, 09/23/2002]

...this is odd...I live quite near java cabana and I assure you that the name is still the same and the wonderful window display is still there playing for a quarter... [Natalie, 01/28/2000]

In Memphis, Tennessee, the Elvis Impersonator Church was originally housed in a coffee shop called "Java Cabana". The shop was bought by one of its original patrons a few years back, and the Church has moved on. [Judy Stacy, 11/24/1999]

My now-husband and I were in Memphis, TN, in the Cooper-Young district when we happened upon the First Church of the Elvis Impersonator. It's housed in a Coffee Shop, and unfortunately the coffee shop was closed. But in the shop window was a display, of sorts -- pictures of Elvis Impersonators, turntables, all kinds of glitz and glamour that you expect to see associated with Elvis. Next to the window, my husband noticed a slot that accepted quarters. Being an adventurous spirit, he put in a quarter. Lo and behold -- lights came on, the turntables began spinning (I believe they had plastic Elvi on the spindles), and the theme from "2001, A Space Odyssey" began playing. It was an awesome sight. They had a gift shop in the coffee shop as well, we weren't able to browse, but noticed all sorts of tasteful gifts, like stick-on sideburns.

They also perform marriage ceremonies, and my husband and I really thought about getting married there...but, they didn't open until later, and we had to leave. I know the Cooper-Young district is pretty well-known, and I believe the First Church of the Elvis Impersonator was right around the corner from a cat-friendly pet store. [Chauntelle Hardin, 03/03/1999]