One of the oldest congregations in Coweta County, Cokes Chapel – affectionately known as “the little church on a hill” – was named for Bishop Thomas Coke, a co-founder of Methodism in America. Originally a circuit church, its records date back to 1834 with its first preacher, Reverend William Steigall. As of July 2021, Pastor Carson Thaxton serves as the 93rd minister of this cherished church.

The congregation first gathered under an arbor three miles west of the current site before moving to a log cabin. The rock foundation of that original cabin remains visible today beside the present sanctuary. In 1842, Mark Smith officially deeded the seven-acre site to the church trustees. Long-lost membership records from 1860 and 1864 – uncovered during the 2020 pandemic-reveal the names of local pioneers such as Overby, North, Smith, and Parks. These records also highlight a significant piece of history: the existence of the 1864 “Colored Class” of Cokesbury Chapel.

The current “new” building was constructed in 1850 by R.D. Cole Manufacturers for $1,100. Built in the Methodist Episcopal Church South tradition, it originally featured a central pulpit where the circuit preacher overlooked four partitioned sections designed to separate worshippers by gender and race.

The church has weathered many “hard times.” Post-Civil War records from 1866 reflect the struggle, noting that while the “horrors of Reconstruction were more demoralizing than the war,” the church remained a sanctuary for the peace of God. Architectural changes followed the era: in 1894, the partitions were removed and the pulpit moved to the rear. An altar rail was installed in 1895 with one spindle intentionally placed upside down – a humble reminder that “nothing built by man is perfect.”

Throughout the early 20th century, the church persevered through the Spanish Flu, two World Wars, and the threats of Polio and Tuberculosis. Physical growth continued in 1935 with the addition of a vestibule and Sunday school rooms. By 1949, the congregation built a fellowship hall across the street, later adding “Helen’s Room,” a church office, and a scout-built BBQ pit that remains a staple of church fellowship and fundraising.

The hallowed grounds of the adjacent cemetery predate the 1827 Georgia Land Lottery. It serves as the final resting place for veterans of the War of 1812 and both Confederate and Union soldiers from the Civil War. In 2008, an unmarked graveyard was discovered behind the main cemetery, believed to contain the remains of early community members and enslaved people. Today, these graves are honored with plain crosses, a prayer gazebo, and memorial stones.

Modern milestones transformed the chapel into what it is today. In 1961, the addition of a steeple, portico, and choir loft gave the building its iconic silhouette. In 1967, the church officially incorporated as a United Methodist Church, followed by the installation of beautiful stained-glass windows in 1977. By 1980, the church completed a debt-free parsonage and welcomed its first full-time pastor, Rev. Max Caylor.

In response to Coweta County’s growth, the church broke ground in 2006 for a new worship space. However, the vision shifted toward God’s plan for the next generation: the Cokes Chapel Childcare Center. While the 2020 pandemic closed many doors, the center remained open to serve working families. Today, it is a fully certified center with two Pre-K classes and nearly 200 children enrolled.

God is good. For nearly 200 years, Cokes Chapel has been a place for hungry souls to be fed by Gods Word. We invite you to soak up the love of the Lord, share your gifts, and love your neighbor. Come worship with us.