Special guest speaker will

be the Rev. Dr. Dennis Dickerson from Nashville, Tenn., the historiographer

of the A.M.E Church.

In addition, Dr. Jacquelyn

Grant will be on hand to sign her book, White Women's Christ, Black

Women's Jesus, and the Holly Grove Church History Room will be open

for tours.

One of the oldest churches

in Peachtree City, Holly Grove is the only church in Fayette County which

displays a historical marker. The church was established in 1897 near

the bank of Camp Creek in western Fayette County.

"This was a period in

history that was very close to the end of slavery," a spokesperson

said. "It was a time characterized by a strong determination by many

white people to see to it that former slaves were denied the right to

vote and the right to an education - opportunities that were available

to the white majority."

In 1897, Washington Arnold

and others living in the area saw a need for a church in their community.

Flem Arnall, a white man who lived nearby, donated land and building materials

to build that church. In addition to holding church services, members

also operated a school in the church, until a separate school building

was added later.

The original building was used

until 1908 when it was destroyed by a tornado.

Despite limited funds, members

rebuilt the church on the same site. It has been destroyed and rebuilt

four times. The present building was constructed in the 1980s and is still

in use.

Although it was built in the

1940s and, of course, not in use today, the old church outhouse is still

on the property. When he saw it, Chris Brook of the Atlanta History Center

said that the privy remains a touchstone of the past and suggested that

it be retained on the property. Brook said he especially enjoyed hearing

the story of the men building the privy for the women and children of

the church. A three-seater, the privy was constructed so that three children

could use it at the same time.

The church has two cemeteries

- a newer one in back of the church and an older one across the road

on Redwine Road in the county. The first burial in the new cemetery was

in 1958, but the older cemetery contains the graves of Washington Arnold,

the church's founder, and Druery May, a soldier during the War of

1812. May served in Captain Tooke's company from Pulaski County.

He died in 1841, and a special grave ceremony was held on June 8, 1996,

when he was honored by the Georgia State Society of the National Society

& United States Daughters of 1812.

This year, Holly Grove celebrates

its 105th anniversary, under the leadership of the Right Rev. Frank C.

Cummings, presiding bishop, and the Rev. David Morrow, pastor of Holly

Grove.

All members of the community

are invited to join Holly Grove's congregation this Sunday as it

celebrates its rich history in the community. The church is at 400 Holly

Grove Church Rd. near the southern city limits of Peachtree City.

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