Holly Grove African Methodist

Episcopal Church may not be the oldest black church in Fayette County,

but it certainly deserves recognition for its efforts in preserving and

displaying its rich history.

Those efforts take on a special

meaning as the church celebrates Black History Month with historic tours

and special programs planned for the entire month.

One of only three sites in

Fayette County to be distinguished by a historical marker, Holly Grove's

congregation was established in 1897. Situated in the southern part of

Peachtree City, the church is in an area once called "Shakerag."

"This area is where the

black families lived and sharecropped," explains transplanted New

Yorker and church historian Gail Goode, who is spearheading the Black

History Month activities at Holly Grove. "That's why the church was

formed here. In its early days, the church also served as a school for

black children."

Assisting Goode is Peachtree

City resident and former Peachtree City Planning Commission member, Gerri

Holt. Although she is not a member of the church, Holt says she feels

a kinship with its membership because of her involvement as Planning Commission

member during the church's recent building addition and expansion. Holt

has nothing but praise for Peachtree City officials and the cooperation

they have given her.

"They did everything I

needed to make it work," she says. "The marker ... the new building

... the celebration ... everything."

Holt also has an avid interest

in history and was a member of the History Review Board in Michigan before

she moved to Peachtree City. She is now involved with the National Trust

for Historic Preservation and was instrumental, through that body, in

obtaining the church's historical marker. The trust also gave Holt and

Goode a partial scholarship to attend the national convention in Savannah,

where the two learned more about the value of historic preservation.

Throughout February, Goode

is offering public tours of the church and narration of a historic display

that stretches the entire length of the new fellowship hall. The display

includes the genealogy of the church family, beginning with George Washington

Arnold who gave land and livestock to build and finance the original church.

Arnold died in 1913 and is buried in the church cemetery.

Also on display are official

historic documents which, by law, prohibited blacks from owning property

or receiving an education in the mid 1800s.

Another point of interest is

the display on Druery May, a War of 1812 veteran who built the antebellum

home that now stands on the corner of Redwine Road and Ga. Highway 74.

The display takes the church

from its inception up to the present time, noting historic events both

good and bad along the way.

Holly Grove also has two historic

cemeteries and an oddly preserved outhouse.

"Chris Brooks of the Atlanta

History Center came out here and suggested that we preserve the outhouse,

too," Goode says. "It's a three-seater and was used mostly by

women and children. The women would take children to the restroom in groups."

A tour of the church itself

reveals the old kitchen behind the present sanctuary, which Goode wants

to turn into a museum.

"We'd like for families

to submit their historic artifacts regarding black families in the area

and anything pertaining to early church records," Goode says. "We've

learned so much more about preserving historic documents climate control

and environment that sort of thing. People needn't worry anymore about

their valuable documents deteriorating."

Although historic, Holly Grove

is moving into the future with new ideas and new members. A mentoring

program is in the works and people from all over the country are moving

into southern Peachtree City. The current pastor is the Rev. David Morrow.

"New people come in with

the things they are accustomed to and bring us new ideas," says Holt.

This Sunday, the church will

welcome the Rev. Joel Thomas of the Interdenominational Theological Center

in Atlanta, as its special speaker, and Carla Hill, a guest soloist, will

perform spirituals reminiscent of the past. The Holly Grove Choir also

is scheduled to sing spirituals.

Feb. 18, the children of the

church will present a special program, and Feb. 25, the men's group will

present the program.

Of the Black History Month

activities, Goode says, "We will continue to preserve this very rich

church history. It tells the story of the African-Americans in the South

who have been a part of the city and this church."

Holly Grove Church is on Holly

Grove Church Road off Robinson Road in Peachtree City. For information

on tours or this month's activities, call the church at 770-631-7650.