Dogwood Acres Presbyterian Church closing its doors

ASHEBORO — After more than 75 years, Dogwood Acres Presbyterian Church will hold its last Sunday service on Jan. 12. 

The Rev. Brian K. Rummage, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Asheboro, will give the sermon during the 11 a.m. service. The public is welcome.

According to clerk of session Rosalie Watts, one of the eight remaining members, attendance has been declining for the past 25 years or so. During Dogwood Acres’ heyday, she said, it could be “hard to find a seat” for Sunday services.

But the church began losing its numbers as older members died and the youth left town or found other interests. Adding to the problem in December of 2022, the last pastor for over 25 years, Joseph T. Brown, was forced to retire for health reasons. Watts said having to find substitute preachers every Sunday was difficult.

“We’ve done the best we could but we’re not able to keep up anymore,” she said. “So we decided to give it up, with deep emotions.”

Watts said people in the area were meeting in homes during the mid-1940s and had a “desire to build a church for Dogwood Acres.” James and Anne B. Neely and Cleve and Helen Thayer donated the property located on Park Drive. Neely was clerk of session at First Presbyterian, which assisted in getting started what was first called Dogwood Acres Chapel. 

Dogwood Acres Presbyterian Church was first a part of the Orange Presbytery but later joined the Salem Presbytery based in Clemmons. Once the church is officially closed, Salem will own the property and put it up for sale.