Emanuel Nine Memorial to Open at Mother Emanuel Church in Charleston

The Emanuel Nine Memorial opened to the public beside Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, 11 years after a white supremacist gunman killed nine Black worshippers during Bible study on June 17, 2015. Designed by Michael Arad, its courtyard features a Fountain of Grace engraved with the victims’ names, fellowship benches and a Cross of Hope, honoring the nine victims, five survivors and community shaped by the attack. Families, survivors and church members helped shape the project, which is intended to foster remembrance, reflection and conversations about racial healing. A Survivors’ Garden and museum are planned for future phases, and the foundation says it has met its initial $25 million fundraising goal. The memorial is free to visit, with regular hours Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.