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The Vestal society was incorporated on July 1, 1831, at a meeting over which the Rev. John Griffing and John Dunbar presided, and Edmund H. Robinson acted as clerk. There with Daniel Foster, Edmuna A. Robinson and Lewis Seymour were the first trustees. The corporate name is "The first Methodist Episcopal Church of Vestal." The old brick church was built prior to 1845 and was one of the first M.E. churches built on Broome soil. In 1852 it was largely repaired and was rededicated on Dec. 9, 1852 with the Rev. Paddock preaching the sermon. Another sermon was preached at night by the Rev. J. G. Eckman, prominent preacher of Wyoming Methodism. For some time the first incorporation was considered invalid so a second meeting was held and other trustees elected, in 1889. The Rev. Dewitt C. Barnes presided and Walter Aldrich and George Bartholomew acted as judges. The new trustees were Theodora Randall, H. D. Harrington, William L. Pierce, E. B. Mercereau and F. G. Harrington. Previous Improvements Made Several times the church has been improved. The most notable progress achieved by the society in later years was that recorded while the Rev. William M. Watson, now M.E. pastor at Whitney Point, was on the charge during 1916 to 1920 inclusive. Increased attendance and interest then resulted in larger membership, and the making of various important improvements about the edifices. Methodism began its work at Vestal Center prior to 1845. A meeting for Incorporation was held Oct. 26, 1875, when the Rev. W. R. Cochrane presided, and E. L. Towner acted as clerk. James C. Brown, Marvin M. Maricle, Henry S. Park, George W. Landon and Ernest Towner were elected trustees. The society took the name of "The Vestal Center Methodist Episcopal Church." Dedication was held on march 23, 1876, with the Rev. B. I. Ives preaching at 10:30 a.m. and the Rev. Austin Griffin of this city at 7 p.m. The Rev. Horatio R. Clarke presided during the day and dedicated the church. The division of the Vestal charge and the creation of an additional charge at Vestal Center, means a further increase of the numbers of charges in Binghamton district to 58. Oneonta district has 51 pastoral charges; Scranton district has 54 charges; and Wilks-Barre district has 54 pastoral charges.
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