Knowles Chapel Global Methodist Church is located in the 113 Militia District of Hancock County. It lies some three miles South of Sparta Georgia USA and was established in 1875 in a typical log cabin on property owned by W. T. Knowles. According to Methodist archival history, “Brother W. T. Knowles was the first member of the Church. He was received on profession of faith in the fall of 1875. The Reverend George H. Patillo being the pastor who baptized him. Few men have a greater love for the Church than Brother Knowles had when no minister was present, he conducted the service. Usually, he led the Prayer Meetings on Wednesday nights. Holding a small brass lamp in his left hand, and the Bible in the other, he would read the lesson and then exhort. He was also known to often feed members and guests at his own expense.”
Common to the time, the cabin was also used as a school, even after the church moved into its new building. Later the log cabin was torn down and the land sold to Dave Silver of Sparta. Mr. Silver had the distinction of being the only Jewish farmer in Hancock County. The congregation outgrew the cabin and, per a deed dated October 23, 1886, 4 1/2 acres was purchased from Mrs. Matt A. Ball Ferguson for a sum of thirty-six dollars. Members gave timbers, money, and labor to the construction effort. The current building was erected in 1888 and continues to serve the community.
After twelve years in the log meeting house the church grew to the extent that they were ready to build. Five Trustees were elected. These were:
W. T. Knowles – Henry Epps – H. E. Garrett – John W. Martin – A. J. McCray
In 1924 the Church was taken from the old Hancock Circuit and placed with the Culverton circuit. In 1948 it was taken from the culverton circuit and placed with Sparta.
In 1954 the exterior of the Church was painted for the first time.