Charleston church sees community grow, diversify after shooting

It's been four months since Dylann Roof allegedly killed nine people at a historically black church in Charleston, South Carolina. In catching up with the Emanuel AME Church as it tries to heal, The New York Times found the community is growing.

On some nights, more than 100 people have participated in the Bible study. Before the shooting, the group typically maxed out at a dozen. Many members have welcomed the racially diverse crowd, which at Sunday services is a mix of locals and visitors who want to show solidarity.

"What I see is a cross-generational, cross-racial future for a church that is no longer restricted to its former self," said Rev. Norvel Goff Sr., the church's interim pastor.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up

The Times' report is also a reminder that the recovery process isn't so straightforward for the community. Some members expressed concern over how Goff is distributing the church's $2 million in donations. And though some relatives of victims publicly forgave Roof in the aftermath of the shooting, other churchgoers don't feel the same way about the suspected gunman.

"If I have to forgive him to go to heaven, I'm going to end up in hell with him," said Willi Glee.

Read the full dispatch here.