Born at Wemyss, Long Island in 1898, The Right Reverend Donald Rowland Knowles traces his ancestry to the earliest settlers becoming Rector of St. Matthew's Church in Nassau in 1938. The Reverend Mister Knowles served as priest in charge of one parish at Long Cay, Crooked Island, Acklins, Inagua and later at two parishes in South Eleuthera.

His wife, Carolyn Elizabeth Knowles of Simms, Long Island bore him two sons. In 1952 Reverend Donald Knowles was consecrated Bishop of Antigua and remained there until 1969. He returned to Nassau to take up post as Rector of St. Margaret Parish and as assistant Bishop of the Diocese of Nassau and the Bahamas. As was the First Vicar Christ, Bishop Knowles was also a carpenter.