I met Richard Emmanuel in August of 1989 when my 20-year-old self moved to Gloucester from Detroit with two friends to attend Montserrat College of Art. We met Richard just days after arriving in town when a group of young punks on skateboards told us there was “a Satan Church’ on the other side of town. We walked across town the very next day and knocked on the door of The Church. There is no way I could have known that the friendship that began that day would become such an important part of my own journey. Richard was a friend, mentor, collaborator, confidant, and cosmic co-conspirator for over 35 years.
We registered The Church.org many years ago, but the site sat dormant for a very long time. Richard never expressed much interest in documenting his legacy but was always open and available to others with an interest in his story. In 2015, I relaunched the site as a personal project out of love and adoration for Richard and The Church, and to honor and share with others what was a very influential, meaningful, and cherished part of my life. I am the registered owner of the site and have always paid all associated bills. I will continue to do so in perpetuity.
That said, I do not want this site to be “mine” or about my friendship with Richard and my experience of The Church. I invite anyone and everyone who knew Richard—regardless of whether they were a lifelong friend or just someone who happened to come across The Church one day and ventured in for a visit—to reach out and share your stories, memories, and photos. Please help me make this a collective tribute and documentary to a man and place that made such a profound impact on so many.
I ask nothing in return.
Thomas Sherman
Thomas@thechurch.org