It's Not Just LOVE, Its A LEGACY
It's Not Just LOVE, Its A LEGACY
“A TIME TO REMEMBER…
THERE WAS A MAN CALLED “JOHN” AND SO IT BEGAN… AND THE REST IS HISTORY…
FROM A COTTON GIN TO A PALACE FROM A BARN TO A CATHEDRAL
“IF WE PAUSE TO THINK, WE SHALL HAVE CAUSE TO THANK.”
With such humble beginnings, this family has spanned into generations of people whom God has blessed beyond measure. As each of us looks back over our lifetimes, we can remember special, as well as routine times; and out of these experiences come memories which are cherished.
Let us think for a moment of those things in our lives which were truly important to our development, whether they came from the routine or special parts of our lives. Many of us can remember one particular person who influenced our lives and played a significant part in helping to shape our destinies.
As we objectively view JOHN LOVE’s life (and AUGUSTA COOK LOVE, the strong and courageous woman who stood by his side), we are urged to appreciate the value of the wisdom and instruction that has been passed down by this Great Man. We are also encouraged to dwell on the past as it brings to our minds “Who” we are the “Work “ we are presently doing – as a result of JOHN LOVE’s unfailing faith, determination, perseverance and prayers, together with the love, devotion, care and concern of his beloved wife, AUGUSTA.
And so with these thoughts in mind, we call back recollections to the former days in the life of JOHN and AUGUSTA. We are well aware that this is not, by any means, an exhaustive account of JOHN LOVE’s life – – it is just a page, a caption, a glimpse. The tremendous impact that he and his wife has had and still has on the Love-Cook Family is immeasurable; it will live on forever in the hearts and minds of each of us.
When people are on a journey together, there may be miles of silence between them, but that doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t be traveling together. Therefore, we trust that this Family Reunion will motivate us to recognize that “WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER” – LEST WE FORGET. . .
JOHN LOVE, SR. one of the founders of Mt. Zion Baptist Church and ordained Deacon, was devout Man of God.
In 1876, just seven (7) years after coming to Montgomery County, Georgia, BRO. JOHN LOVE, along with his wife AUGUSTA COOK and two of their sons: BRO. GEORGE COOK (age 31 years) and BRO. EDDIE LOVE (age 23 years), together with BRO. FRANK TROUP and others, as well as their wives and families, founded and organized the Mt. Zion Baptist Church.
They worshipped under an arbor beyond the site of Miller’s Pond. Rev. John Miller was their pastor and Blacks and White worshipped together at the Church.
Later at a conference presided over by Bro. Henry Mack (who later became the Pastor in 1904), a Resolution was adopted to build a church north of Soperton on a place know as Smith Isom Place. In 1904, the church as moved to its present location: 507 First Street South, Soperton, Georgia: and the land was donated to the Board of Trustees of the Church.
After the church was storm wrecked in 1906, plans to rebuild the church were formulated and a new pastor, Rev. George Cullens, was appointed. Some of the Love-Cook Family members who stayed to help rebuild the Church were: REV. EDDIE LOVE, DEA. GEORGE COOK AND BRO. JOSHUA BAKER, along with their wives. One of the Deacons ordained at Mt. Zion was DEACON JAMES OUTLAW, who also later became Chairman of the Deacon Board.
In April 1976, the Mt. Zion Baptist Church celebrated 100 years of Christian Service at a Centennial Service. The Church still exists today and is 138 years old – and thus another Tribute to the Love-Cook Family.