Our History
A Long Methodist Heritage in Vestal Center
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Celebrating 150 years of worship
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People of the Methodist faith began worshiping in Vestal Center in 1845. Services were held in a variety of places and were overseen by visiting Circuit Riders. In the 1870’s a Methodist Society was formed and met on a regular basis in a building called “The Tabernacle”. By 1874, a decision was made to establish a permanent Methodist Church in this area. The land “The Tabernacle” was standing on was purchased for $75.00 from Coe and Katherine Wells. A copy of the original deed can be found in the Broome County Clerk’s Office dated November 14, 1874.
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During the reconstruction period following the American Civil War, construction of the present church Sanctuary was started. Many unemployed soldiers returning to civilian life in the Vestal Center area, worked on the construction of the Sanctuary building. Several of their names can be found on the external cornerstone. In 1875 the church was incorporated and was named the "Vestal Center Methodist Episcopal Church”. Dedication services for the newly found church were held on March 23, 1876.
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Upgrades and improvements have been made over the years, but the church Sanctuary building remains the same. The vision of the men and women of Vestal Center as people of faith, answered God’s call to establish a Methodist church in south Vestal.
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Vestal Center United Methodist Church has a long tradition of following the core beliefs and practices of our United Methodist denomination. John Wesley and the early Methodists placed primary emphasis on Christian living, on putting faith and love into action. This emphasis on what Wesley referred to as "practical divinity" has continued to be a hallmark of United Methodism today and here at our church.
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(Information taken from VCUMC church history written by Church Historian John Fitzgerald, Jr. 1975. A complete copy can be found in the church archives.)
Meet Our Pastor
Rev. Michele Clark
On June 14, 2014, the North Carolina Annual Conference Bishop Hope Morgan Ward ordained me as Elder in Full Connection following my graduation from Duke Divinity School in 2011 with my Masters in Divinity. I served three appointments in the North Carolina Conference before coming home to Upstate New York to serve Greene and North Fenton UMCs in the Binghamton District effective July 1, 2017 and currently Vestal Center UMC.
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I hold my Bachelors of Science in Religion from the University of Mt. Olive of Mt. Olive, NC. I graduated from the Academy for Leadership Excellence Fellows’ program, the Capital District Homiletics Academy, I have attended the Five-Day Academy for Spiritual Formation sponsored by The Upper Room on multiple occasions as well as served on several Emmaus Walks both in NC. In 2024, I completed a two-year training cohort in Spiritual Direction called Tending the Soul in which I am certified. In addition, I have served on multiple District committees and am currently leading a team to bring the Upper Room Five-Day Academy for Spiritual Formation to the Upper New York Conference in 2026.
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I believe we should always give God our very best in everything we do for we were given God’s best in Jesus Christ. Therefore, I consider myself a lifelong learner which includes embracing change as it is needed to serve more passionately and faithfully and boldly, and I encourage this in others. I encourage teams to work together, collaboratively, for the common goal of “making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world” always with Jesus Christ at our center and as our source of strength in all things. My passions are in spiritual formation, and vibrant and passionate worship and study, especially in helping others grow closer in relationship to God and discipleship to others. I enjoy being with people of all ages and recognize that everyone has a voice and value. Being with people of the church and the community and sharing the love of Christ is my life blood and ministering to their needs keeps me grounded in the ministry of our Lord and the ministry I have been called to.
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I am a native of Gloversville, NY and am married to Bob Clark, who is appointed to Chenango Bridge UMC. We have three children; Jason (Tachana) and Courtney (Mitch) of NY, and Dan (Carrie) of NC. I am blessed to say we also have three grandsons, Caden, Grayson and Colton, and two granddaughters, Nadia and Emilia. I love to spend time with family, kayak and fish, camp, read, and golf and I plan to pick up my mountain dulcimer once again and this time learn to play it. It has been such a joy to return to the mountains of my youth allowing my roots to grow deep and strong once again. I look forward to a long and fruitful ministry here in NY even in retirement.
Grace and peace to you and yours,
Pastor Michele