A bit of History, from Gerry Treadway 

THE 1930'S AND 1940 

Succeeding Rev. Lamb on Feb. 1, 1929 was Rev. Frank Goostray who came to serve Trinity in Coatesville as well as the mission in Parkesburg.  His tenure covered the years of  "The Great Depression" of the 1930's when many were unemployed and much difficulty was had in keeping Ascension open for worship.  It was not unusual for the minister and the organist to wait to be paid for their services.  A group of loyal and faithful members stuck together and kept the church open. On May 7, 1934 the church was saddened to hear that Rev. Goostray had suddenly died at age 42 from a heart attack. No services were held in June, July and August of 1934.  With the arrival of the Rev. Henry S. Paynter at Trinity, Coatesville, services resumed in September of that year.  The mission soon was required to be on a self-supporting basis and be responsible for the $500.00 yearly salary of the minister.  Rev. Paynter's years at Ascension covered the momentous days preceding and during World War II.  Parkesburg experienced little growth during these years.  Much effort was put into supporting the country and its obligations in supporting our troops in Europe and the Pacific areas. People learned to live with less than they normally had available. Food was rationed with stamps and tokens needed to buy certain kinds of groceries.  Gasoline and automobile tires were also rationed and made available only to qualified persons.  Public transportation was widely used as was walking to your destination.  Recycling was the norm of the time when people saved and collected tin cans, scrap metal, paper, cardboard, string, tin foil and glass for the war effort.  Many folks planted a "victory garden" where they grew their own vegetables and produce.  People in town were fortunate to have many neighborhood grocery stores which were within walking distance of their homes during this time.  In the 1940's there were two American Stores (Acme) in town. During these years many local youth enlisted or were drafted into military service.  Ascension's contribution to the cause is recognized on the wall plaque located on the rear wall by the stairway.  The Honor Roll lists - Ruth Cattell, George Cattell, Harry Smith Cattell, Warren Collins, Jr., Wilbur Miner, Jr. William Mullen, John Mullen, Charles Mullen, Henry Boyd Cowan, Robert Abbott, Judson Shroder Hall and William Wilson Myers.  We thank them for their devotion and service to our country during the days of WWII.  Many relatives of these people still live in our community.  Ascension's budget during these times was rather meager with annual receipts of $1,000 to $1,500 with communicants numbering about sixty. Rev. Paynter resigned from Trinity, Coatesville and Ascension on December 1, 1945 to become Director of Publicity for the Diocese of Pennsylvania. 

To be continued