It’s clear that an exceptionally beautiful, loving, and faithful group of people were lost this week. It’s crushing to me and I don’t even know them. I can’t imagine the pain that their loved ones are experiencing.

• Cynthia Hurd, 54
• Rev Clementa Pinckney, 41
• Rev Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, 45
• Tywanza Sanders, 26
• Ethel Lance, 70
• Rev Depayne Middleton-Doctor, 49
• Susie Jackson, 87
• Rev Daniel Simmons Sr, 74
• Myra Thompson, 59 (not pictured)

There are five chairs at the altar in the Emanuel Church. But the one in the middle was vacant on Sunday, draped instead with a black cloth.

This used to be Reverend Clementa Pinckney’s seat. This used to be his congregation. But events on Wednesday night changed all that.

One of the songs during the service was Amazing Grace – something people here and across this city have shown in the past few days in remarkable acts of forgiveness and dignity. (BBC)

The Rev. Norvel Goff speaks at the first church service. — Getty Images