Fields Chapel Methodist (Cherokee County, Ga.)

According to one church history, Field's chapel was organized and built by Jeremiah Field sometime around 1820. However, there is a Field genealogy document that suggests he may have moved into Cherokee County at a later date. Regardless of the date, Jeremiah Field was one of the earliest settlers in Cherokee County and was quite an entrepreneur who owned a grist mill, a general store and thousands of acres engaged in agriculture. According to the 1840 Federal census, Jeremiah owned 39 slaves and according to the 1850 census, the value of his property was given as $50,000, making him the richest man in the county. This original church stood for many years and was in use until the present church was built by Charles Steele in 1898. The church was dedicated on June of 1899 by the Reverend Sam Jones and "it was said that there were three thousand people present to witness the dedication in spite of the rainy weather." It was a great send off and the little church prospered until 1927 and 1928, when the church was threatened by the building of the Allatoona reservoir and many people were forced to sell their land. Membership had declined until there were only 15 or 16 left due to the fact that so many people had been relocated and others simply cut off from access to the church. The little church has now fully rebounded and has an active congregation of over 140 members. Services are held every Sunday at 8:40 and 11:00am and visitors are welcome. The sanctuary is also available for special events.