The 14 ~ On Sunday, September 14, a new sculpture was unveiled at King's Chapel in Boston. Titled "Unbound," the 14-foot statue is part of the chapel's Memorial to Enslaved Persons, an initiative that aims to acknowledge and recognize the humanity of those who were enslaved by early congregants and clergy.

The sculpture pays homage to the 219 enslaved lives that have been accounted for by researchers with the King's Chapel History Program since 2016. These individuals, who lived during the 17th and early 18th centuries, are mostly known by only one name, given to them by their slave owners. Some are not even listed by name, but rather described as "Unnamed Infant Girl," "Unnamed 7-Year-Old Boy," or simply "Unnamed Person."

This memorial has been centuries in the making, as earlier members of King's Chapel were not aware that their involvement in slavery would lead to such a powerful monument of acknowledgement and atonement.

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The chapel commissioned artist Harmonia Rosales, in collaboration with MASS Design Group, to create "Unbound." Rosales, a native of Chicago and Afro-Cuban American artist, was chosen for her unique perspective and artistic vision.

In her proposal for the memorial, Rosales described her idea as a figurative sculpture of a woman representing freedom in the chapel courtyard. The woman holds open a birdcage while surrounded by bronze birds perched on various surfaces. This symbolizes free will, rebirth, and empowerment. In a future phase of the project, there will also be an immersive ceiling mural inside the chapel sanctuary depicting Black and Indigenous people releasing birds into the sky.

"Unbound" stands tall and powerful in the courtyard of King's Chapel. She is depicted as an African diasporic matriarchal figure wearing a flowing white garment. With one hand holding open the birdcage and another resting on her knee, she exudes strength and determination. A few birds gather at her feet, while others perch on the chapel building behind her.

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This sculpture not only serves as a memorial to those enslaved by the leaders and members of King's Chapel, but also represents the countless African-descended individuals who were enslaved in the British American colonies and later in the United States.

King's Chapel, founded in 1686, was the first Anglican church in New England. The landmark structure, located at the corner of Tremont and School Streets, was built in 1754 and has been a Christian Unitarian church since 1789.

According to the King's Chapel website, before the Revolutionary War, at least 55 members of the chapel were slaveholders and three were slave traders. The wealth of these members funded the construction of the segregated sanctuary, which remained segregated until the early 20th century.

"Unbound" serves as a powerful reminder of this dark history and a step towards acknowledging and honoring those who suffered under slavery. It stands as a testament to their humanity and resilience.

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