“The work of racial justice is about repair. About telling the truth and walking with those who have been harmed.”
— The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle
On Saturday, December 13, 2025, the Diocese of Texas gathered in Fort Worth to honor the life of Mr. Fred Rouse in a memorial grounded in remembrance and public witness. The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, the Rt. Rev. Brian Seage, and the Rev. Sandra Michaels, MDiv, STM, were present alongside descendants, community leaders, and partners, standing together at a site marked by racial violence and affirming the call to truth, repair, and reconciliation.
The memorial took place on the land where Mr. Rouse was lynched in 1921, a place once defined by racial terror and now being reclaimed as sacred ground for memory, healing, and accountability. The Diocese of Texas was the first organization to offer financial support for the memorial, making an early gift that helped move the vision forward and underscored the importance of repairing harm done to victims of racial violence and their descendants.
As part of the memorial, participants were invited to take part in the creation of a community mural. The Rt. Rev. Brian Seage joined community members in adding a brushstroke to the artwork, reflecting his conviction that presence itself is a form of witness and that repair begins when the Church chooses to stand visibly and humbly in places marked by harm. The mural names what happened on this land and reflects a shared commitment to ensure such violence is never repeated.
The mural was commissioned to artist Lakeem Ali Wilson and offers a preview of the permanent artwork that will be installed at the site. The gathering brought together descendants of Mr. Fred Rouse, clergy, and community partners, and was marked by the presence of Opal Lee, underscoring the ongoing call to remembrance, truth-telling, and public accountability as the site continues its transformation.
Led by the Tarrant County Coalition for Peace and Justice, the Fred Rouse Memorial continues to move forward with secured funding, including a $1.2 million grant from the Mellon Foundation and a $232,000 grant approved by the Fort Worth City Council. The Diocese of Texas’ initial $50,000 contribution helped lay the groundwork for this moment and the work ahead.
About Mr. Rouse
Mr. Rouse was a black man who was attacked as he left work at area stockyards in December of 1921. After being in the county hospital, he was later kidnapped five days later and ultimately lynched on Dec. 11. Remembering his life by name is an act of truth, accountability, and hope.
Explore photos from the events below
