TCR Breaking News: Mother Emanuel Holds Historic Organ Dedication and Memorial Groundbreaking

On July 22, 2023, the congregation of Mother Emanuel led by Rev. Eric S. C. Manning held a service to dedicate the church's restored historic organ and break ground for the Mother Emanuel 9 Memorial.  The organ was purchased in 1908 and was the largest owned by a Black congregation in Charleston. According to the church website, "The pipe organ of Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church holds precious memories for its membership. Our pipe organ plays a vital role in the church’s outreach to the broader community in sacred concerts, music, and other musical and cultural programs."  Bishop Samuel L. Green preached the sermon for the dedication service sermon "You can't have my music!" (Psalm 137:1-4). During the service, a brief hymn medley was played on the organ to the delight of all those assembled. After the service, the ground was broken for the Emanuel 9 Memorial, designed by architect Michael Arad. The memorial will sit on the church property and is slated to be completed by November 2024. The project's cost will be approximately 4 million dollars.  Persons who want to contribute to the Emanuel 9 Memorial Foundation can find information here. Click here to watch the service. Family members of the Emanuel 9 participating in the ceremonial groundbreaking. Presiding Elder Norvel Goff, Bishop Green, and Rev. Eric S.C. Manning posing by an artist's rendering of the completed memorial. Click here to subscribe to our YouTube Channel to see past TCR Dialogues.

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The Christian Recorder is the official newspaper of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the oldest continuously produced publication by persons of African descent.   Bishop David R. Daniels, Jr., Chair of the General Board Commission on Publications Rev. Dr. Roderick D. Belin, President/Publisher of the AME Sunday School Union Dr. John Thomas III, Editor of The Christian Recorder Copyright ©  2023 The Christian Recorder, All rights reserved.