The Bronzeville church that held Till's funeral is celebrating his life by restoring the building to its former glory.
With phase one of the church's restoration complete, the big next step is working on the sanctuary at Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ: the very place they want to be the beacon of hope Till deserved.
They are one step closer to opening what will be a national monument and museum, honoring the life and legacy of Till.
"It was supposed to be something to quiet and diminish the voices about what was going on in the south and other places, but what it did was give it a platform," Till's cousin Ollie Gordon said.
Gordon was 7 years old when her 14-year-old cousin was abducted from his bed and lynched in Mississippi in 1955, after being accused of offending a white woman.
His body was brought to Chicago, where his mom allowed an open casket.
"People will still hear Emmett's voice because I always say, he's the boy who refused to die," Gordon said.
Once on the endangered list of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the building became part of the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument in 2023 under President Joe Biden.
In phase one, church leaders said they just completed restoring the outside of the building. And there's a lot more to come.
"We hope to have a cafeteria, full-service cafeteria, a coffee shop, a gift shop," said Marvel Parker, Preserve Robert's Temple Initiative project director.
With over 25,000 square feet in the building, they'll have two theaters, conference rooms, offices and a dining room. They'll also restore the sanctuary to the way it looked in 1955, with a balcony and folding chairs.
"I want it done in my lifetime. That's what I should say. I hope it's completed in my lifetime," Parker said.
"I want to bring my daughters here. I want them to hear and learn this history because that's what makes America great," Sen. Tammy Duckworth said.
The church is meant to be a constant reminder of how one mother turned her pain into purpose.
"I so much want to follow her footsteps and have her strength to continue the story," Gordon said.
Church leaders said they are raising $12 million to restore the sanctuary. They're hoping to begin that work by 2027.