As the recession deepened, in early 1950, the usual happened, church attendance rose considerably although membership remained the same. As usual the same forces were at work.

Government could do nothing to halt the decline of business. H.S. Truman was President but his best efforts availed nothing.

Suddenly the United Nations decided on a police action in Korea where the Communist north was attempting to impose the Red Banner on south Korea. Police action or not, history calls it a war, and a war it was. The recession was over, but again at what a cost. The United States alone spent 18 billion dollars, sent 350,000 soldiers into battle, with the end result that 28,000 men died. These figures represent 80% of the cost. The war began in June, 1950 and seesawed between North and South Korea until 1953. The economy was saved once more but again at the cost of a war.

Bethany again had many in service and again one man paid the ultimate price. Walter Schmid would not return.

In the elections of 1952, D.D Eisenhower was elected President, one of his campaign promises being that he would end the Korean debacle which we could not win because the U.N. forbade the forces to pursue beyond the 54th Parallel. It was this directive that led to the eventual resignation of General McArthur.

Taking office in 1953 Eisenhower brought the war to a conclusion as he had promised. Now began an era of prosperity, for the first time unsupported by a war and the accompanying sacrifice of human lives. Ike believed in an old political adage. "He governs best who governs least". The wisdom inherent in this saying was reflected in the affluence of the times.

With a booming economy the previous pattern was reestablished and, down went church attendance. People didn't transfer their papers, they just didn't attend church. It would seem that, as man's material wants are met, his need for the Lord diminishes and, lacking a catastrophe of some kind, thinks himself capable of raising himself up with no help from God. Of course this is not to be construed to mean all Bethany's people, as many were still attending services, but we were losing ground.

It was in this decade that a need was felt for some kind of Christian service and fellowship for those who manned the ships coming into Calumet Harbor. Started by Bethany, soon to be assisted by other Roseland churches, the Seaman's Mission was established. It was to this endeavor that Ken Swanson, of beloved memory, gave twenty five years of his life, taking care of Mission affairs, arranging home dinners for the sailors and doing all that needed doing. He is already missed.

Also, our Bethany, at this time, was very much involved in the acquisition and establishment of Camp Manitoqua. While it is now a Particular Synod od Chicago responsibility, it was the effort put forth by us and our financial support along with First Reformed of South Holland that purchased the land and developed the Camp. For many years Bethany held meetings, Christmas parties, bowling banquets and picnics at Manitoqua much to the enjoyment of our people.

Having used the radio for many years to broadcast the Gospel, Bethany now expanded its outreach by turning to television, television its regular church services during the years 1951 and 1952 over WGN-TV. As inability obtain suitable air time caused us to discontinue the program.

As 1957 wore on there began a steady decline in attendance, mostly because many of our young couples migrated to the suburbs and transferred their memberships, mainly to the churches of South Holland.

There did not seem to any formulas or pat answers to our problem, but God was not through with Bethany yet.