Johns Creek To Hire Expert For Historically Black Macedonia Cemetery: Reports

JOHNS CREEK, GA — The City of Johns Creek is bringing on an expert to recommend how the city can maintain and preserve the historic Macedonia African Methodist Church Cemetery, according to reports.

During a March 14 City Council work session, City Council agreed to have the city manager’s office hire a preservation expert, reported Appen Media. During Monday's presentation, Assistant City Manager Kimberly Greer said that staff needed clear direction on a preservation plan, reported Appen Media. There have been conflicting recommendations from the community on how to care for the trees, but a preservation expert would be able to help, the news outlet reported.

The city has designated $100,000 in its current budget to enhance the cemetery, reported the Atlanta-Journal Constitution. Anything additional would need to be approved by City Council.

During Monday’s meeting, Councilman Larry DiBiase suggested the city form a foundation for the cemetery to help fund repairs and accept donations, reported the AJC.

On November 16, 2020 Johns Creek City Council unanimously approved the acquisition of the historic Macedonia Cemetery property, according to JohnsCreekHistory.org. The property is a small abandoned African-American burial ground of several known slaves and the first and second generation descendants of others enslaved in this area, according to the website. Previously, the city had a maintenance easement, but the ownership of the abandoned property was in limbo.

A survey performed in 2016 by New South Associates identified 24 marked graves, an additional 81 potential unmarked graves, and 9 isolated markers. That survey indicates 105-114 graves.