The last sermon will be preached at 10:30 a.m. Sunday in the Northside United Methodist Church building, 1698 Chase Ave.

        The Rev. Doug Ervin, pastor, said the small congregation of 40 people can no longer afford to stay in the church.

        “With a dwindling membership, extensive needed repairs, it was decided the only solution was to take leave of the building,” he said.

        The minister said he will draw his message Sunday from a famous song recorded by the late Sam Cooke; “A Change is Going to Come,” to bid farewell to the 109-year-old building.

        “It is a sad time for us,” the Rev. Mr. Ervin said. “This is a very historic building. It is probably one of the first church buildings in this area to have a pipe organ.”

        He said that after the sermon, members will collect religious ornaments and sacramental vessels and, with a police escort, march several blocks to the Chase Avenue Church of the Nazarene, 1324 Chase Ave., Northside, where they will share space.

        “We will say the benediction at the Chase Avenue Church of the Nazarene,” the Rev. Mr. Ervin said. “Temporary services will begin there at 9:30 a.m. Aug. 2.”

        The Northside United Methodist Church was built in 1892 at a cost of $34,000 and served as a Holy Temple for early settlers. In the late 1960s, it had a membership of 300.

        The church has been a religious icon in Northside, serving different cultural, social and economic groups.

        The Rev. Mr. Ervin, a retired U.S. postal inspector, has pastored the church for 18 months. He is inviting all members, past members and friends to the last sermon at the church.

        He said the church building will be sold.

        Sister City representatives who went to the Soviet Union 10 years ago will gather to celebrate their 10th anniversary from 4-7 p.m. today at the Clubhouse of Bud and Joy Haupt, at the Rue de La Paix in Clifton, Central Parkway and Ludlow.

        The group will share photos and slides, souvenirs and memories of host families, train rides, hotels and the revolution.

        “We have a lot to talk about,” said Jan Sherbin, a member of the Cincinnati-Kharkiv Sister City Project Board of Trustees.

        “...We went to the Soviet Union and returned from Russia and Ukraine.”

        ARLINGTON HEIGHTS — The Arlington Heights Community Service Organization will hold its 71st Annual Firefighters Festival Aug. 3 and 4 at the village town hall, 601 Elliott Ave.

        “Our festival is one of the oldest in the valley,” said Ken Harper, president of the service organization.

        Proceeds from the festival go to needy families, seniors and to purchase new fire and life squad equipment.

        Two African-American businesses will hold a job fair from 2:30 to 5 p.m., Sunday at Integrity Hall, 2081 Seymour Ave., Bond Hill.

        The job fair is given by Reece & Reece Associates in Bond Hill and the Washington Limousine Service in Walnut Hills.

        The limousine service is looking for about 50 drivers who will be trained to operate a fleet of buses. For more information, call 731-6308.

        Allen Howard's column runs on Saturdays. Call: 768-8362. Mail: The Cincinnati Enquirer, 312 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202.

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