The Macedonia Cemetery has a long and rich history that has been preserved with the help of many contributors. Dating back to the 1800s, the cemetery is the resting place of some who were enslaved and their descendants. With documented graves, the Johns Creek Historical Society has research on slaves such as April Waters, Reuben Chandler, and Robert Ousley. The earliest documented grave at the Macedonia Cemetery belongs to Reuben Chandler dating back to 1893, while the most recent grave belongs to Massie K. Jones from 1988. From this information, visitors can further understand the immense history in the cemetery and the great research that has to be done to determine the names and the lives of those buried at this cemetery. However, other than discovering the unmarked graves, the Johns Creek Historical Society continues to learn about the architecture and environment around the cemetery.
By studying maps and historical documents, the Johns Creek Historical Society has discovered a church that sat west of the cemetery, facing Medlock Bridge Road. This church, similar to other one room churches in the area from the late 1800s, was a house of worship and a gathering place for the African-American community. However, overtime, the area became abandoned, leaving the church and cemetery in a bad shape.
In 1998, the Warsaw Historic Preservation Society made Fulton County aware of the historic value of the cemetery and advocated for Fulton County to obtain a maintenance easement. As time progressed, more parts of the community became involved as the Johns Creek Historical Society took leadership to learn more about the area. With the hard work and support of the Johns Creek Historical Society, the restoration to the cemetery started progressing with various repairs and the spread of awareness throughout Johns Creek. Currently, the Johns Creek Historical Society has documented fifty graves. Yet, a 2016 New South Associate survey, assumed that approximately 105-114 graves are in the area.
This pocket of land hidden away in one of the busiest Johns Creek intersections holds immense history of Johns Creek and hopefully will receive the recognition and awareness it needs for the citizens of Johns Creek to properly honor those who are a part of Johns Creek’s history.
By studying maps and historical documents, the Johns Creek Historical Society has discovered a church that sat west of the cemetery, facing Medlock Bridge Road. This church, similar to other one room churches in the area from the late 1800s, was a house of worship and a gathering place for the African-American community. However, overtime, the area became abandoned, leaving the church and cemetery in a bad shape.
In 1998, the Warsaw Historic Preservation Society made Fulton County aware of the historic value of the cemetery and advocated for Fulton County to obtain a maintenance easement. As time progressed, more parts of the community became involved as the Johns Creek Historical Society took leadership to learn more about the area. With the hard work and support of the Johns Creek Historical Society, the restoration to the cemetery started progressing with various repairs and the spread of awareness throughout Johns Creek. Currently, the Johns Creek Historical Society has documented fifty graves. Yet, a 2016 New South Associate survey, assumed that approximately 105-114 graves are in the area.
This pocket of land hidden away in one of the busiest Johns Creek intersections holds immense history of Johns Creek and hopefully will receive the recognition and awareness it needs for the citizens of Johns Creek to properly honor those who are a part of Johns Creek’s history.