Choir director to retire

Choir director to retire
AUSTINTOWN -- Francis St. Clair of Ellsworth, who is retiring Dec. 30 as choir director of the Austintown Community United Church, will be recognized for his 29 years of service to that church at a reception after the service at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 15.
St. Clair received his bachelor's degree in music from Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University and taught music to all grades in Lowellville. He also taught in other area school districts.
St. Clair was the choir director for Berlin Center Methodist Church from 1956 to 1968; Boardman Christian from 1969 to 1991; and Good Hope Lutheran from 1972 to 1974.
He is a manager at Wal-Mart in Austintown.
120th anniversary
YOUNGSTOWN-- Immaculate Conception Church, 811 Oak St., will celebrate its 120th anniversary at a Mass at 10 a.m. Dec. 8. Bishop Thomas J. Tobin of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown will be the celebrant.
Youngstown was a city of 15,000 people in the late 1870s when St. Columba Parish was the only Catholic church in the city. By 1881, the Catholic population was so large that St. Columba was unable to handle it. Under the guidance of Immaculate Conception's first pastor, the Rev. William Manning, a two-story frame building to house both the church and school was built in four months in the heavily Irish neighborhood. On Dec. 10, 1882, the priest celebrated the parish's first Mass. By 1887 the congregation had outgrown the building. Two lots were purchased across the street and construction began on a classic Gothic-style church.
A brick school was later built for the parish's nearly 400 students on the site of the original two-floor frame building. It was dedicated Aug. 26, 1906. Eventually, the parish had 1,500 families with 600 children in the parish school. The construction of Interstate 680 forced many families to leave the area. At present, Immaculate Conception Parish has 350 families.
Advent service
CANFIELD -- Candlesong, a traditional Advent service, will be at 6:45 p.m. Dec. 8. at St. Michael Roman Catholic Church. The service includes Scripture readings and music by the children's and adult choirs. There will be scriptural reflection on the theme, "We Are Called To Be the Christ-Bearers." A reception will follow.
Christmas cantata
WARREN -- A Christmas Cantata, "Joy to the World," will be presented by First Assembly of God at 7 p.m. Dec. 20, 21 and 22. Call (330) 898-1775.
Musical presentation
ASHTABULA -- A musical Christmas presentation "God With Us" will be presented at 7 p.m. Dec. 13-14 and 3 p.m. Dec. 15 at First Assembly of God. For transportation to the free concert, or questions, call (440) 275-7720.
Family banquet speaker
HUBBARD -- Stanley Banks of Detroit, Mich., will share his testimony at the Christian Family Fellowship Banquet at 6:30 p.m. Friday. at the Brentford House. Banks will also minister at Jesus is the Way Outreach Ministries at 2 p.m. Dec. 8. Reservations must be made by Wednesday by calling (330) 856- 2745. The cost is $9 for age 13 and up and $6 for ages 5-12.
Women's program
YOUNGSTOWN -- New Beginnings Outreach Ministries will present a "Women's Lock-In" at 7 p.m. Friday and next Saturday. Guests will be the Revs. Renee Collins of Mount Liberty Full Gospel Baptist Church, Leta Paramore of United Baptist Church and Leah Neal of Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church and evangelist Mae Walker of Unity Holiness Ministries C.O.G.I.C., all in Akron. Call (330) 743-9910.
Prayer rally set
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Greater Youngstown Coalition of Christians will have a prayer rally at 7 p.m. Friday at Mahoning Valley Community Church.