The Emanuel Nine Memorial

The Emanuel Nine Memorial South Carolina Department of Education

The Emanuel Nine Memorial Foundation was established by a group of community and business leaders inspired to take action to honor those who were killed in the tragedy and led the charge in designing, constructing, and maintaining the Memorial. The Foundation Board is co-chaired by Eric S.C. Manning (Senior Pastor at Mother Emanuel AME Church) and John Darby (CEO of The Beach Company).

This memorial will honor the Emanuel Nine and celebrate the grace in forgiveness from the victims’ families, spirit of resiliency shown by the survivors, church members, the community of Charleston and the world by coming together as one,” said Rev. Eric S.C. Manning, Pastor, Mother Emanuel AME Church. “Ultimately it will inspire people and communities everywhere to rise above racism and overcome hate with love.”

The design process began by reframing the church grounds to create a sacred space for a memorial and a garden space to honor the survivors. A Memorial Courtyard was designed in honor of the spirit and fellowship of the Emanuel Nine as space for the congregation and the community. It encourages positive change, while also creating a space to reflect in quiet contemplation.

At the center of the Memorial, the curve of the stone fellowship benches encircles a marble fountain. The names of the Emanuel Nine are carved around the fountain’s edge. Water emanates from a cross-shaped source, filling the basin and gently spilling over the names of the Emanuel Nine.

The opening between the fellowship benches towards the back of the Memorial Courtyard reveals a cross above a simple altar, offering visitors a quiet place to linger in thought and prayer. This area is known as the Contemplation Basin.

From the Contemplation Basin, a pathway leads to a new Survivors’ Garden dedicated to life and resiliency. A newly landscaped churchyard will enhance the daily life of the Church and its members. A lawn surrounded by six stone benches and five trees symbolizing the five survivors – the sixth signifying that Mother Emanuel herself is also a survivor.

To donate to the Memorial, please visit https://emanuelnine.org/donate/.