Clouds hung over the Marion Square on Sunday evening as hundreds of people gathered to remember the life of Charlie Kirk with a candlelight vigil and a church service that included pop-up baptisms, prayer and commemoration. 

The vigil drew a large crowd of mourners, some holding American flags and wearing red hats, others dressed in black to grieve. Attendees alternated between quiet moments of prayer and public displays of faith while the baptisms were performed at the center of the square. 

Kirk was the co-founder of Turning Point USA and a prominent figure for the modern Republican movement. Kirk would visit college campuses across the country in promotion of TPUSA and free speech, encouraging debate from university students. 

He was shot and killed while doing so on Sept. 10 of this year while speaking at Utah Valley University. 

His assassination is one of the increasing number of attacks on political figures, like that of Democratic state lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, last summer’s attempt on President Donald Trump and the 2023 attempt on Nancy and Paul Pelosi. 

Kirk self-identified as a Conservative and an evangelical Christian and acknowledged his role as a polarizing figure in American politics, and up until his very last moments, stood staunchly behind his beliefs on even the most hot-button issues. 

One of the most controversial topics that Kirk would speak on was gun control. Kirk stated that he believed that it’s “worth it” to have “some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights.” 

Kirk also stated that he thinks the United States made a “huge mistake” when passing the Civil Rights Act, that Martin Luther King Jr. was “awful” and “not a good person,” that “abortion is murder,” that “trans women are not women,” was a believer in “The Great Replacement” and was “very pro-Israel,” — all opinions in which he faced public scrutiny over, yet always defended with a smile. 

Sunnie Gream organized Sunday’s service alongside Redemption Church, and had called Marion City Hall with the hopes of closing the Square down for the event in celebration of Kirk’s life. 

Gream expressed how excited she was for the baptisms, which were started because Pastor Robbey Smith from Redemption Church asked Gream if he could bring a baptism pool. 

“Even if we get one person, it’s worth bringing it (the baptism pool) out,” Gream recalled telling Smith.

Tim Rich walked up the steps and into the pool before he was dunked in the water by Stephen Linke, with Redemption Church, the crowd of witnesses cheering. 

“I am hurt. I am broken for what happened to Charlie. I can tell you being a military veteran and war veteran, I have seen a lot,” Rich said. “We know the fight that we have ahead of us and I always felt like some of us had to do the hard things to protect others.

“But I never felt worthy of God’s love and God’s embrace, so I never got baptized. But seeing what happened to Charlie made me realize that we have to take it a step further, and we have to do everything we can to bring Jesus’ love to everyone.” 

Rich said he was inspired by the oath he took to defend the country when he was serving in the military. 

“I took the oath to love God, not just the country, not just to defend the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic, but defend and spread the love of Jesus across the nation and world,” he said.

As people were baptized, the surrounding crowd held American flags, signs, candles and a wooden cross. Hands raised in worship while songs about faith fled through the Square. 

Adam Pendergrass, a father of nine, stated that his faith in God and in America brought him out to the event. 

“We need to get back to square one and stop hating each other,” he said. “I’ve got too many kids… the world that we are going into right now, I feel like we are failing.”

Two men holding American flags, Hunter Mays and Elijah Dickerson, said Kirk’s faith inspired them to attend the event. Mays said that Kirk, his faith and his courage inspired him.

“I felt like it (Charlie Kirk’s faith) was something that was a lot of inspiration to Americans,” Mays said. 

Dickerson said he was at the event to “remember Charlie Kirk and the death of him, but not just the death, but also his legacy and moving forward and this turning point that’s happening in America in a revival for Christ.” 

Renee McDonald, mother of two children baptized in the Square on Sunday, said that the event is a symbol that God brings people together. 

“This shows that the community can still come together regardless of race and everything,” McDonald said. “This is everything Charlie Kirk was aiming for.” 

Carolyn Repass said she grew up Christian, but then strayed away. 

“I got very involved in witchcraft, and for the past year or so, I’ve been on the path back to Christ,” Repass said. “Charlie Kirk had a lot to do with that, and being baptized at this vigil felt right. Charlie did his job and brought so many people back to Christ.” 

Her husband, Edward Repass, said that he had also renewed his faith after personal challenges. 

“I got so deep and into dark, dark magic,” he said. “That is how I know the demons are real. I was a heroin addict for 25 years. I’ve almost lost my leg due to it. My mom died a couple months later and I found out I had a 20-year-old daughter I didn’t know. I quit that day and walked away. I prayed in rehab. I gave my life to God.” 

Repass said of Charlie Kirk’s death, “Seeing that happen in such a barbaric way, it’s beyond party at this point. I have had to go through my social media and eliminate so many people who are celebrating this death cult. I don’t care what party you are from, it’s wrong.” 

Brenda Tripplett, who was watching the baptisms, was emotional as she talked about the event.. 

“Tonight when we were watching Sunnie’s (Gream) daughter get baptized, there was a feather that landed right on her hair in front of me, and it was solid white,” Tripplett said. “I know that was from the angel. Charlie Kirk and God are so proud of everything that they are doing today.”

Grief was visible on faces throughout the crowd, but celebration rang after every baptism with music and hands raised in worship. American flags were held beside candles creating a blend of patriotic symbolism, religion and public mourning for Charlie Kirk. 

“As a Christian, we rejoice at everything Charlie stood for,” Alaura Barras, who held a sign in memory of Kirk, said. “We’re here for God because of Charlie.” 

She said Kirk’s death felt personal for her. 

“My mom actually knew him relatively well,” Barras said. “She’s planned several events around southern Illinois and spent plenty of time with him. She described him as genuine and kind. Even back then, he was a much younger man. He was a great representative for Christians and kids in college too… You know, you don’t have to be quiet about your views and it doesn’t take violence and hate and anger to have open conversations. 

“I agree with him and to support the people that agree with him that are Christians, (people) that want better for the next generations. They are afraid to speak for fear of being murdered or harmed, or their family being hurt.” 

The SIU chapter of TPUSA is hosting a remembrance event in the international lounge of the SIU Student Center on Monday, Sept. 15 at 5:30 p.m. The Daily Egyptian will have a story on the happenings of that event later this week. 

Staff Reporter Mariah Fletcher can be reached at [email protected]

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