In 1993 Pastor Uliasea Little, Jr. established Christ Baptist Church
Graceland at 3816 Mickey Drive in Memphis, Tennessee. When the property
was purchased, it had been vacant for several years. It had previously been the
home of Graceland Recreation Club which was a private white only club.
An olympic sized swimming pool and four tennis courts were on
the property with an overhead platform with showers
and restrooms. The club was in the Graceland area of
Whitehaven behind Graceland Mansion. As reported
on the Warranty Deed #11576, Book 4330 Page 268,
Whitehaven Plaza, Inc. sold Graceland Recreation Club,
John B. Godwin, President for $10.00 on March 18, 1960.
Pastor Little and the Christ Baptist Church purchased
the said property from John B. Godwin in 1993.
.
Elvis Aaron Presley bought Graceland Mansion
in 1957 for himself, parents and paternal
grandmother. He served in the U. S. Army from
1958 to March 5, 1960. It was noted that
Elvis Presley frequently swam in the pool.
Pastor Little and the Christ Baptist Church
Family addedwalls and renovated the recreation
club to an enclosed structure where worship
service was held until a new worship facility
was built on the property. The grand opening was
held on October 7, 2001. What was once a private
white only facility is now a
black owned church with a
multi racial congregation
serving the people of
Whitehaven and the
surrounding areas in
Memphis. Many outreach
program include: Inner
city youth football and
basketball teams;
drama, dance, tutoring;
Partnerships with other
non-profits to feed,
clothe and provide essentials
(furniture) to families; MIFA;
United Way; Memphis Healthy Churches,
Prison Ministry and Evangelism.
IN 1993
GRACELAND RECREATION CLUB
was sold to
Christ Baptist Church