Johns Creek Seeks Help To Preserve Cemetery

JOHNS CREEK, GA -- Recognizing the significance of retaining some connection to its past, the city of Johns Creek will move forward with exploring ways to rehab the Macedonia African Methodist Church Cemetery.

The cemetery, which came into the spotlight when a company petitioned the Georgia Department of Transportation to install a billboard near the property, is located at the corner of S.R 141/Medlock Bridge Road and State Bridge Road.

Since the application, residents and community stakeholders have rallied to fight the proposal as well as to draw attention to the current state of the property.

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Johns Creek's elected officials at their Nov. 28 work session were given background information about the cemetery.

Fulton County previously was responsible for maintenance for the property, but that stopped when Johns Creek incorporated in 2006. Since then, while local Boy Scouts have done occasional cleanups on the site, the cemetery does not receive routine care.

At least one group, Preserve Johns Creek, has called on the city to consider lending a helping hand in cleaning up the property.

City spokesperson Jeff Breslau said the city will move forward with submitting an application to the National Parks Service to have it listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

With that designation, the site could be eligible to receive grants that could help with the cost of restoration and maintenance.

According to the National Register, there are more than 90,000 properties on its list, a designation that makes those sites eligible for National Parks Service-administered federal preservation tax credits.

In the meantime, Preserve Johns Creek has created a GoFundMe account to raise money to help with its cause.

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