About Us

In about the year 1874, the Holly Grove A.M.E. Church was
organized, its site was selected, purchased, and paid for by a few
old pioneer A.M.E.'s of the McAlmont Circuit. This site consisted
of a grove of Holly trees from which the Church established its
name, Holly Grove.

The organizers of the Church were Mr. J Skyles and Mattie
Skyles his wife, Mr. Russell and Abe Oliver, Middle Brooks, West
East, Tom Morgan, Marble Logan, Joe Ready, Robert Meatchum,
H. Bates and Albert Wheat. The first pastor or former Pastor is
not known but it is known that the organizers were the first
officers of the church.

It is very interesting to know that the first Church building had
cathedral lights as windows. This same building was remodeled
and a parsonage was built under the leadership of Rev. R.E.
Dillworth. Rev. W.S. Shelton was later named pastor and moved
into the parsonage. He then moved to St. Paul, Augusta. He was
such a good pastor that the McAlmont Circuit was renamed
Augusta and Holly Grove was commonly known as the home of
Rev. W.S. Shelton throughout the District.

In the year 1940 a new site was selected and negotiated by one of
the older members, the assistant Pastor Rev. Hawkins Oliver who
gave twenty years or more of faithful service. On this new site the
late Ready Brothers; Rueben Ready and Johnny Ready built a
Sanctuary. This property was purchased from a former member,
Mr. Joe Boalwright, who moved to California. This property had
been owned by one of the wealthiest persons in the area at that
time, Mrs. Maria Davis.

Years later, the McAlmont District was renamed the North Little
Rock District. Then in 1966 Brother James Hill, a trustee, saw an
opportunity to get a much-needed building for use by the Holly
Grove membership. After further investigation by Brother Hill
along with the help of Sister Alberta Ready, also a trustee, the
matter was brought before the Church body and approved. Soon
after, the building was purchased at a price of $5,000.00 and
placed on the grounds. In June 1971 the debt was paid.

During those trying times, we must make mention of the church's
wonderful leader Rev. Leslie Smith and Rev. F.T. Gooden who
stood by the Church membership giving much needed help,
guidance and administration. Then in 1974, Rev. J.T. Thompson
was sent to the Church in heat of a blazing desire. With his efforts,
the blaze was kept burning not only materially but spiritually as
well. Soon after, with God's help, a new Sanctuary was built and
a Fellowship Hall and dining area was added. In approximately
1987 Mr. Ernest Joshua, a trustee, and his company J.M.
Products constructed an adjoining building for the Church that
functioned for many years as a daycare center. The building was
later dedicated to a former and late pastor of the church, Rev.
Walter Wilson, and named the Walter Wilson Center. This
building now functions as the church's fellowship hall and
community center. Other former pastors of the church were Rev.
Rucker, Rev. Gooden, Rev R. Smith, Rev. M. Washington, Rev.
C. Guy, Rev. Beverly R White, Rev. Wilbert Gray, Rev. Shirley
Inkton Bowers, Rev. T.B. Lamb and our current leader Rev. Bill
Bowers.

We thank the late Brothers James G Hill and Reuben Ready,
Christina Crudup and Berthena Lauderdale for the original history
of Holly Grove A.M.E. Church.

This history has been updated with the help of various church
members and is being submitted by Brother Michael W Joshua,
trustee.