Country star Willie Nelson has bought a Texas church where he sang and played music when he was a boy. The church was closed in May because attendance was poor, and the congregation was merged with that of a neighbouring parish. Now Nelson, helped by a childhood friend, is organising monthly services to take place in the building, and marked the church's re-opening with a special service at which the singer performed hymns with his sister, and other guests.
Nelson told his audience: " [friend] Bobbie and I have been going to this church since we were born," Now you're all members of the Abbott Methodist Church, and you will be, forever and ever."
After the service, he added: "This has been quite an experience, all these people. We went to school together, played ball together, dated together."