From Wagon Trail Road to Stagecoach Road
1894
On February 1, 1894, S. M. Taliaferro, Mary Williams, J. W.
Williams, and Susy T. Griffin donated land “for the sum of five
dollars,” designated “for church purposes only” to “trustees of
African Methodist Church" (Louis Harper, Henry Harper, Gauis Butts,
James Thomas, and Abe Collins). Noted in the recorded Deed Book 109,
page 376, Fulton County, Georgia, the land “[began] at a point where
a line dividing Land Lots No. 35 and 34 [crossed] the Jonesboro
Wagon Trail Road and [ran] along said Land Line west 70 yards to a
stone corner; thence east 70 yards to a stone corner; and thence
south along the west side of Jonesboro Wagon Trail Road to the point
of beginning; being improved property.”
1895
The African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Conference named the Church
“Macedonia African Methodist Episcopal Church.” The foundation of
the Church building began under the leadership of Bishop W. R.
Wills, with blocks donated by the Reverend J. B. Blanderburg and a
group of congregants.
In the late 18th and 19th centuries, it was customary for different
congregations to share a building by alternating Sundays for worship
service. Macedonia shared in this arrangement with Baptist
congregants. Consequently, disputes over property rights, ownership,
and improper record-keeping became apparent—resulting in Macedonia
being renamed “First Macedonia Baptist Church, INC.” Legal records
indicated that the Church exchanged denominational hands, which was
later challenged.
1932
The Church was under the physical control of the AME Church.
Prior to 1964, the building burned to the ground.
1964
Turbulent times continued among AME and Baptist congregants.
Historical records show that conflict on the premises became so
great that police and medical assistants were required on the
property and inside the premises during some worship services
(building location unrecorded).
1971
Denominational ownership disputes hastened the building of a new
structure.
1979
On March 30, 1979, the Fulton County, Georgia Deed Book 7206, page
243, recorded a Warranty Deed from the State of Georgia, referring
to the Church as “Macedonia Baptist Church, INC.”
1981
Under the guidance of the Reverend Robert L. Mallory (hereinafter
“Rev. Mallory”), AME members, Ruth Dixon and Rachel Releford,
petitioned against Baptist congregants at the Superior Court of
Fulton County. Pursuant to the Warranty Deed filed in Deed Book 109,
page 376 at the Fulton County Courthouse, records confirmed that
“ownership of certain church property known as 3267 Jonesboro Road,
Fulton County, Georgia IS AND HAS BEEN VESTED IN THE AFRICAN
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH SINCE FEBRUARY 1, 1894.”
Said Baptist congregants never returned.
1982
In March 1982, the Church experienced a pivotal moment in its
history. The African Methodist Episcopal Church North Georgia
Conference appointed Rev. Mallory as Pastor, under the supervision
of the Reverend D. W. Wiggs, Presiding Elder. (The Church’s
historical records omitted the names of previous pastors.)
As remaining Baptist congregants continued seeking denominational
ownership, police supervision was still required during Sunday
service. It was not until the early 1980s that denominational
disputes and struggles ended permanently.
1985
Twenty-five people joined the church.
1988
From 1988 to 2000, Rev. Mallory orchestrated renovations at the
Jonesboro Road location. The Church parking lot was paved; a foyer
and more restrooms were added; a front porch was constructed to
extend the building itself; a pastor’s study was added; floors were
carpeted; the pulpit and interior space were renovated; and lighting
was redone. The renovations totaled approximately $75,000 and were
funded without outside financial assistance.
2000
After more than a decade, Rev. Mallory and the Church set their sights on a new building at 6235 Stagecoach Road, in Rex, Georgia. The structure was built on 16.5 acres of land. There were two classroom buildings, a separate fellowship dining hall, an administrative building, and spacious upper and lower parking lots.
Under the leadership of Rev. Mallory, the Church sold the Jonesboro Road property and purchased the Stagecoach Road property.
2001
In September 2001, Macedonia AME Church at 6235 Stagecoach Road in Rex, Georgia conducted a dedication ceremony. Rev. Mallory was the Founding Pastor of Macedonia AME Church on Stagecoach Road, in Rex, Georgia.
Under Rev. Mallory’s leadership, three new ministers joined the ministerial staff: The Reverend Eschol Harrell, The Reverend Daniel Johnson, and The Reverend Mary Favors.
Rev. Mallory organized an outreach ministry and worked in conjunction with “Hands-on Atlanta” to feed the hungry.
2005
As the Church continued supporting Rev. Mallory’s outreach ministry, the Macedonia Family raised $1,500 and fed 1,000 families.
In 2005, the Church purchased a bus under the leadership of Rev. Mallory.
2006
On October 11, 2006, the untimely passing of Rev. Mallory warranted The Reverend Earle H. IFil (Presiding Elder) to serve as interim pastor.
2007
In January 2007, the District assigned the Reverend Bruce L. Francis as Pastor. The Reverend Francis continued the traditions of annual programs and activities initiated by the Founding Pastor, the late Rev. Mallory. Those traditions were the Founder’s Day trip, the Annual Church Picnic, Family and Friends’ Day, Men’s Day, Women’s Day, and Church Anniversary.
2010
In May 2010, the Reverend Haywood White, Jr. was appointed Pastor of Macedonia AME Church. He, too, continued the traditions initiated by the Founding Pastor.
2013
On February 23, 2013, the Conference Room in the Church lobby was named “The Robert L. Mallory Conference Room,” in honor of the Founding Pastor. Likewise, the Church honored the Founding Pastor’s widow, by naming Macedonia’s Women’s Missionary Society, “The Ella Dean Mallory Women’s Missionary Society.”
Between 2013 and 2019, the Reverend Haywood White, Jr. presented his vision to the Church. He proposed that the Church add a facial onto its structure that would face Stagecoach Road. He had an unveiling during service, showing a beautiful illustration of his architectural vision. His idea was to “turn the Church around” so that the front view of the Church would face the street. There were several fundraisers organized to help finance this project.
The Reverend Haywood White, Jr. was appointed to another church before his vision was fulfilled.
2019
The Sixth Episcopal District Conference appointed the Reverend Cornelius B. Scott (hereinafter “Pastor Scott”) as Pastor. Pastor Scott continued the traditions initiated by the Founding Pastor and instituted additional ministries and activities.
Pastor Scott established the Church’s first Deaconess Ministry in 2019. The original members were Mother Bernice Evans, Mother Ella Dean Mallory, Mother Gwendolyn Parks, Mother Betty Pope, Mother Mary Whitley, Mother Eddie Mae Weldon, Mother Lillie Morris, and Mother Ruby Robbins. (Mother Bessie Butler Norris was consecrated as a Deaconess in 2023.)
Pastor Scott sought to make the Reverend Haywood White, Jr.’s vision a reality. He believed that renovations, which included a facial built onto the structure of the Church, would attract more people to come fellowship and worship.
The project was costly; therefore, many fundraisers were organized. The Church had a fashion show, a talent show, a cake auction, an old-fashion homecoming, portrait sales, a food sampling, and many other fundraisers. The Church also produced and sold cookbooks titled “ A Taste of Macedonia.“ All proceeds were earmarked for the renovation of the Church.
Trustee Pro Tem Jerry Robinson was designated to oversee procedural fundamentals regarding all Church renovations.
With the onset of the Covid-19 Pandemic, Pastor Scott taught five online Bible studies throughout the week. Church members were able to watch the Sunday service online in the comfort of their homes. The Church stayed open, allowing only seven officers to attend, while socially distancing. Pastor Scott followed the protocol designated by health officials for the safety of all.
When Covid vaccines became more available, Pastor Scott held “Parking Lot Service” every Sunday before slowly transitioning members back into the building.
Under the leadership of Pastor Scott, the Church purchased a 14-passenger van, co-signed by Trustee and President of the Golden Jewels Ministry, Bessie Butler Norris.
2020
Due to the initiative of the Steward Board (under the guidance of Steward Pro Tem Wayne Collins), the Deaconess Ministry was named “The Carmella Scott Deaconess Ministry,” in honor of First Lady Dr. Carmella Scott.
Pastor Scott’s ministerial staff grew under his guidance. In addition to the Reverend Mary Favors and the Reverend Eschol Harrell, two more ministers joined the staff: the Reverend Theodore Scott and the Reverend Daimien Solomon.
2021
Pastor Scott instituted Macedonia’s “Woman of the Year Award.” Recipients were Alicia McMullen (2021), Tracey Brown (2022), and Shawna “Rita” Rankins (2023).
Three additional ministers became members of the ministerial staff: the Reverend Kelvin Johnson, the Reverend Robert Ward, and Licentiate Minister Omar Dennis.
2022
Pastor Scott instituted the “Minister of the Year Award.” The Reverend Mary Favors was Macedonia’s first honoree.
2023
In January 2023, the Church hosted the District Conference, sponsored by the Reverend Doctor Thomas Stegall, Presiding Elder.
In March 2023, the Church conducted a “Note-Burning” ceremony, celebrating the pay-off of the Church van.
In June 2023, Licentiate Minister Jordan Scott joined the ministerial staff, totaling eight ministers under the leadership of Pastor Scott.
In July 2023, the Church embarked on its first cruise—a weekend in the Bahamas.
In September 2023, the Church sponsored and hosted its first districtwide Women’s Conference, with the goal of raising $50,000 for Church renovations.
It can be said that a church is not the lengthened shadow of one individual, but the lengthened shadows of faithful, loyal, and dutiful men and women who loved, labored and prayed for the church throughout its existence.