I had heard from my grandmother Smith that her great-grandfather, Daniel Dwiggins (1779-1856), was a circuit-riding Methodist preacher, so I was especially thrilled to find the following entry in the 1850 Census: “Daniel Dwiggins, 71, clergyman, Meth E.” In the early days, the Methodist Church in our state was the Methodist Episcopal. The census goes on to say that he came from Delaware to Granville County and finally to Davie County.
Dwiggins was also, according to several sources including a plaque on one of the logs in the Center Methodist Arbor, one of the founders of Center Methodist Church. Center began in 1830 when a group of neighbors in the area met at the home of Joel Penry on Godbey Road, close to the present structure.
In 1833, John Smith, a neighbor who owned many acres of land, gave two acres by a deed recorded in Rowan County to Daniel Dwiggins, Arthur Morrow, John Davis, Ashley Dwiggins, Samuel and James Penry, James Davis, and Thomas Morrow. The deed was specifically for the Methodist Episcopal Church, which supposedly grew out of a revival that was held at the Joel Penry home, and my assumption is that all of these people were at the original meeting. I wonder, obviously, if Daniel Dwiggins did the preaching but cannot find any proof that he did.
During the mid-1800s, camp meetings were popular in the South, including in this area. In 1876, the Center Arbor was built for the purpose of hosting these meetings, and the first service was held in that same year. The arbor was built of wood with a board roof. Of course, through the years the structure has been updated several times. Now it is mainly used for homecomings and other special occasions. In 1991, it was named to the National Register of Historic Places. In 1992, the arbor was rededicated, and a plaque noted its placement on the National Register. Of course, there have been a couple of actual church buildings as well, including the present one.
My grandmother had in her possession the little leather membership book that had been passed down to her from her father, W. J. F. Dwiggins. I remember her showing me that book many years ago and how it seemed so precious to her and how honored I was to hold it. It contained the rules of organization for the Methodist Church, as well as a list of the original trustees, including several of my ancestors. Starting in 1844, the book contained a list of all of the church members and continued until 1863, when many young men went off to fight in the Civil War. Also, during that war the Methodist Church, as did most others, split into Northern and Southern branches.
On Sunday, October 5, 1980, Center United Methodist Church had a special celebration to honor its 150th year. It was on that occasion that my aunt, Helen Wrenn, of Fayetteville, presented to the church the little leather membership book from my grandmother. The book was “back home,” as she said of her gift. Now, most of my Dwiggins ancestors rest for eternity in the cemetery across the road from the church. Our family connection to the Center Community has gone on for a long time. My parents are there also, as I will someday be.