First UMC of Mineral Ridge merging with Fairview UMC

MINERAL RIDGE — The First United Methodist Church of Mineral Ridge will have its last service Oct. 25, because it is merging with Fairview United Methodist Church of Niles.

The first service of the merged churches will be Nov. 1, with Pastor Curtis Miller officiating. Miller will continue to be the pastor of the merged churches.

The merger was forced by the deterioration of the Mineral Ridge church building, according to a press release from the church. The bell tower was crumbling and had to be dismantled for safety reasons. The boiler is an antique with no replacement parts available; steam pipes leak and water enters the building when it rains.

The building and its contents will be put on the market for sale or auction.

Mineral Ridge Methodist Church was founded in 1867 with William Ranson as its pastor. The cornerstone of the current building was laid Nov. 24, 1929, with Haines A. Reichel as pastor. Fifty-eight ministers have been in the pulpit since 1867, with Pastor Miller serving since 2000.

A service on Sunday will commemorate the years at Mineral Ridge; an Oct. 25 service will mark the final service. A casserole dinner will follow the Oct. 25 service.

The annual turkey dinner, which has been the first Saturday in November, will continue this year at Fairview United Methodist Church, 21 Fairview Ave., Niles, from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 7.