History
Psalm 37 Tell us in Verse 5, “Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”
The Fountain Grove African Methodist Episcopal Church was founded by the late Brother Arthur Pitts and Sister Ida Hogan in the year of 1945. Fountain Grove was birthed as a Sunday school with Brother Joshua Mapp serving as superintendent. As faithful servants for the Lord, Mr. Pitts was a Steward of the Saint Phillip AME Church in Toomsboro, GA and Mrs. Ida M. Hogan was a Missionary of the Saint Paul CME Church of Irwinton, GA. Together, they committed themselves to God and to our beloved place of worship. Our namesake Fountain Grove was named after Bishop W.A. Fountain and shortly Rev. S.W. Wicker, Pastor was appointed to help build the Church.
The founding members to help organize and build the Church were the late Mrs. Eddie M. Gotell and Mr. Walter L. Pitts. Our first meeting was held at the home of Mrs. Leila Holcomb. At this time the late Mrs. Ariel B. Gotell, Mrs. Annie C. Ivery, Mr. Jacob Hogan, and Mrs. Carrie H. Snead took in membership. In continuance having services from house to house, the following joined, Mr. L.B. Pitts, Mr. James W. Hogan, Mrs. Daisy Warren, Mrs. Mary Floyd, and Mrs. Bertha M. Todd.
In 1946, the Rev. Neal was appointed Pastor, in 1948, the Rev. Jones was appointed Pastor, and under his leadership, Mrs. Julia Banks and others joined in 1949, Rev. Ellis was appointed: In 1950, Rev. Johnson and in 1952, Rev. A. Hunter.
In 1953, Rev. Pierce was appointed Pastor, under his leadership, members and friends began to build the wood structure. The church steeple was built by Brother James Hogan, Brother L.B. Pitts, Brother Walter L. Pitts, and brother Ananias Pitts. Many friends assisted in the building of the church, such as Rev. Massey of Gordon, GA.
The Brundage Mount Baptist Church of McIntyre, GA donated their benches to the church. The Rev. Fordham was their pastor at that time. Under the pastoral ship of Rev. Pierce, Mrs. Annie L. Cummings and Mary C. Hogan joined with Brother James Hogan serving as Secretary.
Throughout the years, many faithful servants have been sent to Sheppard the flock of Fountain Grove:
1956 Rev. Roddy 1958 Rev. Crawford 1960 Rev. Rice 1962 Rev. J.P. Perk 1964 Rev. Johnson 1966 Rev. T.R. Johnson 1968 Rev. W.B. Turner 1969 Rev. Lewis James 1971 Rev.Smith 1972 Rev. Patilla 1973 Rev. Bailey 1974 Rev. Lewis James (2nd term) 1984 Rev. William Wright 1985 Rev. Delmus Mosley 1986 Rev. Standford Wicker 1988 Rev. William Brown 1996 Rev. Dr. Bobbie Fann 2000 Rev. Ted Walters 2007 Rev. Daniel Thomas 2008-2011 Rev. Timmie Curry 2012 Rev. Samuel Cooper 2013-2016 Rev. Kimberly McMichael 2016-2018 Rev. Sandra Simmons 2018-2019 Rev. Stephanie Slocumb. Second term starting in 2019-2023 Rev. Sandra Simmons. Starting in 2023 Rev. James Lavert.
Ida Mae Mapp
Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
Ida Mae Mapp Hogan was born July 23, 1903 in McIntyre, Georgia. Her parents were Rev. C W Mapp and Sis. Mary Wimberley Mapp. On December 28, 1919 at a Chicken farm in Irwinton GA . She became the wife of James Silas Hogan Sr. Officiated by Rev Marshall Wright. They were blessed with 9 children,
Mary Jane Hogan-Floyd, James W. Hogan, Eddie Mae Hogan-Gotell , Bertha Mae Hogan –Todd, Arie Bell Hogan -Gotell , Carrie Lou Hogan-Snead Ina Mae Hogan-Blackshear, Jacob Hogan and James Hogan Jr.
She was the Daughter of a Preacher, A Wife, a mother /grandmother; she worked several years at the Guest house in McIntyre, GA. and had a brilliant record of service to her Lord, her family and her church.
Proverbs 22:6 says: Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Sister Ida Hogan was a Missionary of St. Paul CME Church of Irwinton, Ga. She was on a mission to tell the world about Jesus love and forgiveness. She had a vision. A visionary person is one that understands that there is a calling and purpose in life that they need to pursue. Her vision? To have a church in this community. Her ambition leads her to ask Brother Arthur Pitts to join her in accomplishing this vision.
In 1945 Fountain Grove A.M.E church was started.