WILLIAMSBURG — Artist Rusel Parish has opened what he is calling the first chapel of the Cult of Michael Jackson to “praise the life and teachings� of the larger than life performer.

The chapel, which doubles as Parish’s second solo show at Figureworks gallery, opened on Friday at 168 North 6th St. An afterparty will take the “worshippers� on to nearby Hope Lounge.

Plans for the chapel have been in the works for more than a year, designed to coincide with the pop star’s This Is It London concert series. Parish says that “in light of recent tragic events� nothing about the exhibition was changed, but that it will serve as a place for fans to gather, meditate and pay homage to the King of Pop through September and October.

“Imagine the strife and wars we could solve if we just straightened up and boogied down,� says 32-year-old Parish, a Jackson fan since childhood. “The Cult of Michael Jackson transcends thousands of years of hate, war and spiritual prisons of other religions and instead brings the world into a new order: one of love, soul, funk and pop.�

When asked his favorite Jackson song, the Greenpoint resident said his answer would depend on the decade in question, but the frontrunners are Blame it on the Boogie, Billie Jean and Stranger in Moscow. Calling himself the world’s preeminent Michael Jackson artist, Parish brings to the chapel “years of experience and study of working in the image of Michael Jackson through paintings, drawings and sculpture in building this ultimate shrine.�

The work showcased in the chapel, presenting the life of Jackson from childhood through 2009, has been Parish’s focus for three years. The collection is multimedia, but the centerpieces are oil, resin and wax portraits on canvas.

For those who want to light a tribute candle, or to eat Jackson, Parish makes likenesses in wax and chocolate — choose from dark, milk or white.

“We are not saying MJ is a God, just that his words, wisdom and teachings can lead to enlightenment and a better world,� writes Parish on the group’s web site. “To us, he is a prophet, offering his lessons to the world.�

For more info, or to become a “Jacksonite,� visit www.cultofmichaeljackson.org. Figureworks gallery hours are Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 6 p.m.

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