In 1896, Washington Arnold moved into Fayette County and, not seeing a church in the area, he and others started one, first under a brush arbor and then in an old abandoned house.

It was very important to them that their families be in church on Sunday and what became the Holly Grove African Methodist Episcopal Church was formed.

After a year in this location, they looked around to see how they might better their worship experience, plus they needed a school in the community for their children.

A white neighbor, Fleming Arnall, gave them land to build their own church and he also gave them a stock of trees from which they acquired lumber for the project.

In 1897 the first building was constructed on the site of the current church, on Holly Grove Church Road in what is now southern Peachtree City.

By the 1940s the structure became old and unsafe and it was decided to rebuild. The new structure stood until 1943 when a tornado completely demolished it. Only a Holy Bible and a chair were left.

Again the congregation began a rebuilding project and in 1944 another new building was in place.

In 1957 this building was remodeled inside and out and by 1969, the congregation was really progressing, both financially and spiritually. Many who had drifted away returned and in the mid-1970s, the current structure was built.

The church has approximately 150 active members. Sunday School is each Sunday at 10 a.m. with the worship service at 11 a.m. There is an evening prayer service each Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. and Bible study follows at 7 p.m.

The church is at 400 Holly Grove Church Road, which runs off both Redwine Road and Robinson Road. The phone number is 770-631-7650 and the pastor, the Rev. David Morrow, can be reached at 404-627-7711.

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