Prince Was Also a Quietly Devout Jehovah's Witness

Prince wrote and sang some pretty dirty lyrics, but in his private life, he was a devout Jehovah's Witness. The Wall Street Journal takes an in-depth look at the little-known religious life of "Brother Prince Rogers Nelson," who attended services at a Kingdom Hall in the Minneapolis suburbs about 15 minutes away from his Paisley Park estate. The congregation was given a brief announcement of Prince's passing at Sunday's service: "Our brother Prince Rogers Nelson fell asleep in death this past Thursday." He had last been at the hall on March 23, and canceled an expected appearance at a gathering April 3 because he was sick.

Prince couldn't attend many services, due to his touring schedule, but "there was no fanfare" when he was there, says one elder, adding that Prince acted like any other "normal" person. "He was very humble, he was very focused. Yes, he wore his heels and ruffled up shirts but he didn’t act like a celebrity," says another member of the congregation; others members say he sometimes wore "more traditional suits." He took notes during sermons and sang along with the hymns. And as for witnessing door-to-door as what's called a "publisher"? Another elder says Prince was one, and that he believes Prince testified to others in the entertainment industry. Click for the Journal's full piece. (More Prince stories.)