Emanuel Nine Memorial set to open Nov. 14
(WCIV) — The Emanuel Nine Memorial, a permanent tribute to the nine worshippers killed in a racially motivated mass shooting at Mother Emanuel AME Church in 2015, will open to the public on Nov. 14 beside the historic church in downtown Charleston.
FILE – Members of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity lead a crowd of people in prayer outside the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church after a memorial for the nine people who were shot and killed during Bible study in Charleston, S.C., Friday, June 19, 2015. When violence comes to a public place, as it does all too often in our era, a delicate question lingers afterward: What should be done with the buildings where blood was shed? (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton, File)
Located at 110 Calhoun St., the memorial honors Rev. Celemnta C. Pinckney, Cynthia Graham Hurd, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lane, Rev. DePayne Middleton-Doctor, Tywanza Sanders, Rev. Daniel L. Simmons Sr., Rev. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton and Myra Thompson, the nine victims who were killed during a Bible study gathering on June 17, 2015, as well as the five survivors and the resilience of the Mother Emanuel congregation and the Charleston community.
The memorial was designed by Michael Arad, the architect behind the National September 11 Memorial in New York City. Key features include the Fountain of Grace, Fellowship Benches and the Cross of Hope, creating a space dedicated to remembrance, reflection and education.
The opening marks a significant milestone for the victims’ families, survivors and church members more than a decade after the tragedy, leaders explained. The memorial is intended to preserve the stories of the Emanuel Nine while providing future generations with a place to learn about their lives and legacy.
The site also stands as a symbol of healing and perseverance for a congregation and community that became a national example of faith and unity in the aftermath of the shooting.
The Emanuel Nine Memorial will be open to the public beginning Nov. 14.
