Following the tragic event in which a shooter took the lives of more than twenty worshippers during a Texas church service in 2017, Terrie Smith created a flower-filled area in her yard to memorialize the First Baptist Church every time she gazed across the street.

On Monday, Smith felt a deep sense of sadness as she witnessed the demolition of the church building where her friend Joann Ward and Ward’s two young daughters lost their lives. Although not a member of the congregation, Smith frequently visited the grounds since the shooting to pay her respects to the victims.

“I felt their spirits there,” Smith shared. “Being there offered such comfort; it was truly a warm and uplifting experience.”

The demolition followed a lengthy legal dispute regarding the church’s future, amidst a rising trend of religious institutions across the nation affected by violent attacks. After a mass shooting, survivors, community members, and faith leaders are often confronted with tough choices about reopening their space and honoring the memories of those they have lost.

“For those wishing to remember, having a physical space can be a comforting place for meaningful reflection,” remarked Jennifer Talarico, a psychology professor at Lafayette College who examines how individuals recall significant personal events. However, she added, “For others, particularly those dealing with trauma, the presence of that building can serve as a painful reminder.”

What transpired in Sutherland Springs?

Following the mass shooting on November 5, 2017, First Baptist Church repaired its walls, revamped its interior, and decorated its chairs with the names of the victims in the building that had stood for over 50 years, according to legal documents.

Construction on a new church began six months after the shooting, as reported by the Associated Press. In 2021, church members voted to demolish the old structure, but some locals filed a lawsuit claiming they were unfairly denied a chance to vote.

The church spokesperson did not provide comments, and an attorney representing the church did not respond to inquiries. In legal documents, the church lawyers denied the claims and described the building as “a persistent and painful reminder,” according to the AP.

“It was a beautiful memorial and its loss saddens us all,” Smith, who resides nearby and heads the Sutherland Springs Community Association, remarked.

Experts suggest that keeping parts of a site associated with tragedy can be significant for community healing.

Paul Farber, the director of Monument Lab, emphasized that understanding a community’s grieving process is crucial when dealing with memorial conflicts. He noted that maintaining physical reminders of a site where tragedy has occurred can play a vital role in overall healing.

“Approaching this without considering people’s feelings and grief can undermine the very memorializing process you’re trying to achieve,” he stated.

‘Resilient’ Mother Emanuel reopened shortly after the shooting

Just a few days after a white supremacist murdered nine Black worshippers at the historic Emanuel AME Church, affectionately known as “Mother Emanuel” in Charleston, South Carolina, the church reopened its doors for worship services.

Michael Arad, the architect chosen to design a memorial for the victims, recalled his shock during his first visit to the church’s fellowship hall after the tragedy, noticing where bullet holes had been covered up.

“Getting to know the community over the years made it clear they needed a place to gather again,” he said. “It’s always been a family-like atmosphere; where else could they come together?”

Emanuel AME Church historian Lee Bennett Jr. mentioned in a 2021 interview that the church had faced tragedies before and had consistently remained open, a tradition that continued following the shooting on June 17, 2015. He stated about the shooter who attacked worshippers, “You haven’t changed our identity at all. No one has. He certainly hasn’t.”

“We are a resilient church, and we plan to thrive for another 200 years,” Bennett added proudly.

Following the tragic attack, local residents placed flowers outside the church as a tribute to the victims. Since then, the church and the community have consistently held remembrance services.

To honor the victims, Charleston has erected several monuments, which include nine wooden benches inscribed with the victims’ names at a nearby park. Additionally, a plaque at the church’s entrance lists the names of those who lost their lives.

Almost ten years after the shooting, plans are underway for a $2.5 million renovation of the church. Construction commenced last summer on a memorial designed by Arad, the same architect behind the National September 11 Memorial at the World Trade Center. This new memorial, slated to open in spring 2025, will feature a courtyard, a contemplation basin, and eventually a survivor’s garden surrounding the church.

“In many respects, what we are creating in the memorial courtyard is like an outdoor church,” said Arad. “It serves as a community space, a place for gathering, worship, and remembrance.”

Tree of Life Synagogue to reemerge with a museum

After a gunman took the lives of 11 worshippers in an antisemitic attack during the Jewish sabbath on October 27, 2018, Alan Hausman, president of the Tree of Life congregation, recognized that the building could no longer be considered sacred. While some congregation members and the families of the deceased argued for preserving the 1952 structure, synagogue officials concluded this was not feasible after community consultations.

As per Jewish customs, any item in the sanctuary that came into contact with the victims is regarded as part of their physical being. Consequently, parts of the pews, floors, and drywall in the sanctuary were removed and subsequently buried in the congregation’s cemeteries, as explained by Hausman.

“We simply couldn’t reopen the building. People would either be sitting where victims had sat or walking up steps where someone had died,” he said. “It became evident early on that a massive remodel or complete rebuild was indispensable.”

In January, demolition began on 80% of the synagogue in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood. For Hausman, the hardest moment was watching the removal of the ark containing the Torah scrolls from the chapel where many victims lost their lives.

He is optimistic about the thoughtful efforts Tree of Life is making to honor its fallen members, but he also feels sadness over the loss of the place filled with family memories.

“I’m excited for the progress we’re making,” he shared, “but at the same time, so many cherished memories and significant moments took place there, so seeing it go was extremely difficult.”

The plans include the construction of a new multimillion-dollar sanctuary, a memorial garden, and a museum that will highlight Jewish history and examine the roots of antisemitism. Family members of the victims, along with representatives from three congregations, formed a Memorialization Working Group to assist in creating the plans, Hausman elaborated.

According to the congregation’s CEO, Carole Zawatsky, the site is expected to welcome visitors in about two years.

The new facility will be a unified, cutting-edge building designed with security in mind, Hausman noted. He expressed hope that “it will serve as a community resource, not just a synagogue.”

Hausman mentioned that he has stayed connected with survivors from other mass shootings, including the former Pastor Frank Pomeroy of First Baptist Church and Rev. Eric Manning of Mother Emanuel. He stated that these leaders and the rabbi from Tree of Life have supported each other throughout their respective rebuilding efforts.

“So many of the feelings, frustrations, and anger are similar,” he reflected. “However, each incident presents its distinct challenges and scenarios. It’s a group no one should want to join.”

What lies ahead for Sutherland Springs?

In Sutherland Springs, church bells can be heard throughout the community on the anniversary of the tragedy, and a “beautiful memorial wall” has been established at the new church, according to Smith. However, she feels the loss of the old church each time she gazes out the window.

“I hope they create a beautiful memorial to replace what was lost, which will bring joy to everyone once more,” she expressed.