1929-1939 - The Depression Years at VUMC
     Harold S. Swales, a younger pastor of the district, was called to preach at Vestal in 1929.  There were hard times when he arrived - with Rev. Buck's sudden passing and then in October, the stock market crash.  A few church members were "wiped out" by the fall and others burned.  The church did not appear to suffer greatly.  The DS stated of Rev. Swales "Too much cannot be said of the splendid work done by Brother Harold Swales of Vestal.  He has brought order our of chaos, thirty seekers were at the altar and eighteen received into the church.  A bible class of 150 men has been organized, a men's chorus of fourteen voices sings at evening services, and an orchestra of seven pieces plays in the morning."  The Swales family had a new baby while at Vestal, and Rev. Swales was manager of the town's baseball team. 
      The Rev. Albert J. Chapman took over at VUMC from April 1931 to a1933.  During his time at Vestal, Rev. Chapman's health was not good and his ministry was less dynamic that Rev. Swales.  Rev. Chapman's wife Maude died in 1932 and Rev. Chapman in 1934.  They are buried in the Vestal Park Cemetery behind the church.
      Reeves Havens is the next pastor of the 30's.  He served until 1939.  The Havens came from Pennsylvania.  At that time, many folks from Pennsylvania were moving to the Triple Cities to look for work.  Rev. Havens once worked for IBM.  This time period is when many folks found jobs at IBM.  Mrs. Havens was very talented and sometimes preached.
      Rev. Havens was very outspoken and very conservative.  He preached on whatever he wanted to regardless of whose toes he might tread.  Sundays (and Wednesday evenings) were the Lord's.  No parties, frivolities, or business or social affairs should be scheduled for these time periods.  Among others our Girl Scouts got in trouble.  Once he even took on Vestal's volunteer firemen.  Of course, no true Methodist should drink - not even cider!  And dancing - horrors!  They also encouraged tithing, insisting on at least a full 10%; no figuring out ways to reduce one's tithe because of giving to others.  A group, the Storehouse Tithers, was formed and were reported to have contributed roughly half of our church budget.  Actually, the IRS investigated to see if such large supporters of their church were really real.  They were.      Back to start