History Corner

Where did those pictures come from in Fellowship Hall of Jesus and Mary? It is an interesting story.

Recent newcomers to the church may not realize that for over a half of a century they hung just to the right of the doors as one enters the sanctuary. With the recent refurbishing of Fellowship Hall, they were moved to the western wall of Fellowship Hall over what used to be the stage.

The individual who was responsible for them was an intelligence specialist for the United States Army. He eventually achieved the rank of Chief Warrant Officer #4. His name? Perley Robert Wiggin. He was the 14th child of fifteen of Amber and Mark Wiggin of the Side Track, West Side Road here in Conway. The family was comprised of twelve boys and three girls. My dad was the 13th and I am Perley’s namesake – thus Brian P. Wiggin. (Now you all know).

Perley was a much beloved uncle and was the favorite of many of his nieces and nephews. He had extraordinary intelligence from an early age. He was the valedictorian of Kennett High School in 1947 and winner of the prestigious Kennett Cup. He enlisted in the Army on May 11, 1948 as a Private. His training camp was at Fort Dix, New Jersey. He came up through the ranks becoming a major sergeant
in 1953; a warrant officer #1 in 1955; and a chief warrant officer in July 1967. He received many awards including three Battle Stars; Bronze Star and Oak Leaf Cluster, Legion of Merit, and the Commendation Medal.

His work as an intelligence officer was dangerous. The family was always fearful that he would be captured or killed by the enemies of the time. it was thus that my folks desired to carry on his name through me. Perley served in The Philippines, Korea, Japan, Lebanon (where he became friends with the Labnon family who had remained behind instead of moving to Conway), the Dominican Republic, Switzerland, Afghanistan, and Vietnam. Perley could not always identify his location in letters home to his folks. However. His mail was read before being sent to the States. However, Perley knew his folks were worried about his stay in Vietnam during the war. He cleverly asked them, “What was the first name of my French teacher at Kennett, Mrs. Pennett? I have forgotten and it’s been driving me crazy.” Of course, everyone knew as it was such an unusual name – “Wanda.” They figured out that was a clue to where he was located in Vietnam. My Uncle Mark found a map and found the village – even though it was a sound alike. They all were quite relieved to know of Perley’s whereabouts.

The watercolor paintings of the Virgin Mary and Jesus were obtained by my uncle while he was stationed in The Philippines during the early 1950’s. He saw them and thought of how nice they would look in his church back home. He purchased them and had them sent to us. There originally was a third painting of the crucifixion. The Filipinos were predominantly Catholic and the painting certainly reflected that culture. Reverend Wilcox, with my Uncle’s permission, gave the painting to St. Charles
Church next door. Where it is now is unknown to me.

Perley and his wife Beverly, returned to Conway in the late 1960’s for a dozen years or so. He worked for Gordon Burke and was the first assistant manager at Shaws. Their one daughter, Patricia, went to school here. Patricia was their tenth attempt to have a child and they were SO happy. My uncle was always so pleased to have me as his namesake and would carry me around as a baby when he was home and announce to everyone, “This is Brian P. – Brian Perley” – with a huge grin on his face. Both
Perley and Bev became active members of the church again and Aunt Beverly was Ruth Henderson’s right hand in organizing the Bloodmobile which was always held in our Fellowship Hall. Perley died of cancer on June 19, 2001 surrounded by his beloved wife, child, and grandchildren.

Brian Wiggin
Historian