Only 45 years old, Peachtree City now has its first historical marker.

Dignitaries last Sunday unveiled the marker at Holly Grove African Methodist Episcopal Church, which predates the city by 54 years, and celebrated the importance of remembering the past.

Placement of the marker was a cooperative venture between the Georgia Historical Society, the city of Peachtree City and the Peachtree City Heritage Historic Preservation Committee.

The church dates back to 1896 when the first group of citizens met to form a church and a school. It has been on its current site since that time.

A hundred interested persons, black and white, came together to unveil the marker and to celebrate the heritage of the church. Among those making remarks were Bob Lenox, mayor of Peachtree City, Peter Wright, Atlanta area vice president of the Georgia Historical Society and Carolyn Cary, official historian of Fayette County.

After the unveiling outside, the group proceeded inside where the program continued with prayers, special music and remarks by guest speaker Dr. Nelson Rivers III of Fayetteville, director of national field operations for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

When God instructed Joshua to build a stack of stones as high as Joshua could get them, Rivers said, it was to be a reminder to future generations to remember the work of Joshua and their ancestors. “What means this?” is taken from the Bible and would be the question asked of those long ago concerning the stack of stones, he said.

“Today,” Rivers said, “people would ask `What's up'? When future generations read the historical marker unveiled today they will ask the meaning of it, why is history important and what is a brush arbor. They will be reminded of the importance of the past, just as those people seeing that stack of stones.”

Rivers was introduced by church member Denise Speller.

The Rev. Mark Baldwin of Peachtree City Christian Fellowship Church offered a prayer, and scripture was read by the Rev. Barry Odom, Braelinn Baptist Church.

The church choir provided special music and church member Annie Hammond recited the church history. She concluded by saying, “Let us never forget to remember.”

The marker is at the edge of the church property, at 400 Holly Grove Church Road.

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