The Chapel will mark its 75th anniversary this weekend with three of its pastors sharing the pulpit during a simulcast between its two campuses.

The Rev. Paul Sartarelli, the Rev. Knute Larson and the Rev. David Burnham will preach during Sunday services at 9 a.m., 10:40 a.m. and 6:40 p.m. The morning services will be held at both the Akron campus, 135 Fir Hill, and the Green campus, 1800 Raber Road. The evening service will be at the Akron campus. A meet-and-greet reception with the pastors will be at 3 p.m. at the Green campus.

Sartarelli, the current pastor, and Burnham, who succeeded his father (the late Rev. Carl Burnham, the church founder) as pastor in 1963 will preach from the Akron campus during the morning services. Larson, who retired in May after more than 25 years of service, will preach from the Green campus. A video simulcast will bring both campuses together during the services.

The Chapel, the Akron area's largest church with 8,000 members, traces its roots to the Furnace Street Mission in 1933. The first sermon was preached at The Chapel at Five Points (a 20-foot-by-50-foot storeroom) at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 15, 1934, by the Rev. Carl Burnham with about 45 people in attendance. The congregation began raising money in 1936 to buy a lot at Brown and Vine streets, where a church building was completed in 1947.

As the church continued to grow, the congregation purchased a lot on Fir Hill and moved into its new building there in 1955. By 1969, membership had grown to 3,200 members. Expansion began in 1971 for a new sanctuary that would connect to the Fir Hill buildings. The new building was dedicated in 1973 by a 5,000-member congregation. The Green campus opened in 2003 to accommodate the still-growing membership.

Today, the church offers five worship services and more than 300 weekly activities. It has affiliate Vietnamese and Chinese churches on the Akron campus each Sunday and six independent affiliate churches that form The Chapel Consortium: The Chapel in North Canton, The Chapel in Marlboro, Hudson Community Chapel, Valleyview Chapel in Wadsworth, Riverwood Community Chapel in Kent and The Chapel at Tinkers Creek in Streetsboro.

In other religion news:

Events

Cascade Community Church — 1190 Inman St., Akron. 6:45 tonight. Candle vigil on the church lawn in memory of Matthew Shepard and all victims of hate crimes. At 7 p.m., Homosexuality and the Bible: God Loves You Just the Way You Are is a DVD presentation about what the Bible states concerning homosexuality. At 11 a.m. Sunday, there will be a national coming out community worship service. 330-773-5298.

Greentown United Methodist Church — 3088 State St., Lake Township. 5 to 7 p.m. today. Swiss steak supper, dessert included. $7, ages 6-12 $3.50, ages 5 and under free. 330-499-3985.

Goodyear Heights United Methodist Church — 1690 Hillside Terrace, Akron. 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday. Spaghetti dinner. $6.50, ages 3 to 10 $3. Proceeds benefit the United Methodist Women's Mission Program.

Grace United Methodist Church — 1720 Schneider St. NW, Plain Township. On Sunday, the church will cancel regular services to practice purposeful acts of kindness throughout the community. Volunteers will join together for service projects such as home repairs, visiting the elderly in nursing homes, making blankets for foster children and preparing packages for hospice patients. 330-499-2330.

Holiness Church of Christ Deliverance Center — 1820 S. Hawkins Ave., Akron. 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 17. Voucher giveaway, every third Saturday of the month. Sponsored by the missions department. 330-848-0485.

Johnson United Methodist Church — 3409 Johnson Road, Barberton. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today. Fall Fest, featuring crafts, food, children's games, bake sale, hayrides and cornhole tournament. 330-825-7886.

Malone University — 2600 Cleveland Ave. NW, Canton. 9 a.m. Oct. 17. Leedy Memorial Golf Outing, hosted by the Association of Church Sports and Recreation Ministries at Arrowhead Golf Course, 1500 Rogwin Circle SW, Plain Township. Best ball scramble to honor legacies of Jim Leedy and Bob Starcher. Funds raised will sponsor students who intend to go into full-time sports ministry. Includes continental breakfast, box lunch at the turn and dinner after golf. Sponsorships available at variety of levels. 330-493-4824.

Manchester United Methodist Church — 5625 Manchester Road, New Franklin. 7:30 to 11 a.m. Oct. 17. All-you-can-eat breakfast buffet, includes pancakes, eggs, sausage, hash browns, gravy and biscuits, coffee and juice. $5.50, seniors and ages 12 and under $4.50. Presented by Boy Scout Troop 118. 330-882-4818.

Montrose Zion United Methodist Church — 565 N. Cleveland-Massillon Road, Bath Township. 8 a.m. Oct. 17. 5K Run/Walk and One-Mile Fun Run. 5K is $15 and Fun Run is $10. Proceeds benefit missions including Habitat for Humanity, OPEN M and the Bishop's 3 C's. That will be followed by Fall Fest with a pig roast, cornhole, volleyball and kids' activities until 4 p.m. On Oct. 18 at 7 p.m., there will be a Fall Pops Concert in the worship center. 330-665-9817.

Mount Zion Baptist Church — 327 Cuyahoga St., Akron. 11 a.m. Sunday, 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. Revive Us Again Revival to refresh, revitalize, renew and restore your spirit. Guest speaker will be Dr. Marcettes Cunningham of Mount Zion in Elyria. 330-253-8642.

New Exodus Christian Fellowship Church — 782 S. Arlington St., Akron. 11 a.m. Sunday. Celebrate the second anniversary of the church and pastor, the Rev. Gregory E. Partidge Sr. The Rev. Georgia Stevens from Standing in the Gap Kingdom Ministries will be the guest speaker. At the 3:30 p.m. service, the Rev. Alden Knight of Solid Rock Fellowship Baptist Church will be the guest speaker. Everyone welcome.

New Life Episcopal Church — 13118 Church Ave. NW, Lake Township. 7 p.m. Monday. Official welcome for the Rev. Patricia Hanen as rector of the church. The public is invited to attend. 330-699-3554.

St. Sebastian Church — 476 Mull Ave., Akron. 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 24, 4 to 8 p.m. Oct. 25. Clambake in Zwisler Hall. Includes clam chowder, salad, dozen clams, baked chicken, corn on the cob, red-skin potatoes, rolls and butter and coffee and tea. $30 per person, $25 without clams, ages 12 and under $15. Cash bar. Reservation deadline is Oct. 18. For information or reservations, send e-mail to saintsebastianchoir@gmail.com.

St. Paul's United Methodist Church — 2705 Sixth St. SW, Canton. 4:30 to 6 p.m. Oct. 17. Homemade Swiss steak dinner with mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, cole slaw or apple sauce, bread, beverage and dessert. Adults $8, children $4. Carryout available. 330-456-7207.

Milestones

St. Paul Catholic Church — 1580 Brown St., Akron. 4:30 p.m. today. 11 a.m. Sunday. The parish will mark its 90th anniversary.

West Hill Baptist Church — 605 N. Revere Road, Bath Township. 10:30 a.m. Oct. 18. The congregation will Celebrate the Journey in a special morning worship service followed by an anniversary dinner marking the church's 60th year. Some of the previous pastors and staff will attend. 330-867-5127.

Performances

Akron Free Will Baptist Church — 1802 Eastwood Ave. 7 to 9:15 p.m. Friday. Down Home Reunion Concert. Host group is GloryWay Quartet of Mansfield, guest group the Gibbons Family of Dayton and guest soloist is Kelly Perry of Ashville. Food will be served at 5:30 p.m. 330-786-9416.

Fairlawn Lutheran Church — 3415 W. Market St. 4 p.m. Sunday. Bonnie L. Brooks and James Rose Jr. of Bath Township will present a concert of sacred and secular music — the opening concert of the church's Parish Arts Series, which will begin its 12th season. They will be accompanied by pianist Kim Bakkum. Freewill offering. 330-990-4866.

First United Methodist Church — 245 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls. 7:30 tonight. The Stairwell Singers will perform a concert called Sing Praises in the sanctuary. The 12-member local Christian vocal group will offer hymns, spirituals and traditional anthems. Freewill offering will benefit mission trip to the Dominican Republic. A mission celebration will be held at 6:30 tonight. 330-923-5241.

Kenmore Community Church of the Nazarene — 2025 12th St., Akron. 10 a.m. Sunday. Gospel singer Jonathan White will be in concert at the morning service. A fellowship meal will follow. All are welcome. Freewill offering. 330-745-7720.

Trinity United Church of Christ — 915 N. Main St., Akron. 3 and 7 p.m. Nov. 7. Two performances of the musical The Trial of Job, written by Sharon Dobbins Alberson, an attorney, minister and musician. Admission is $10, $5 for ages 10 and younger. Spaghetti dinner between shows, $5. Proceeds benefit Urban Ministries in Akron. 330-376-7186.

Speakers, classes,
workshops

Centenary United Methodist Church — 1310 Superior Ave., Akron. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 17. Panel discussion Feeling Even Better About Yourself led by Martha E. Banks, psychologist. Following registration at 9 a.m., the main event will be 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., discussion from 11:30 a.m. to noon, free lunch noon to 1 p.m. and style show 1 to 2 p.m. Freewill offerings. 330-376-9648.

Faith Missionary Baptist Church — 360 Chittenden St., Akron. 6:30 p.m. Oct. 19 will be the first class of a 13-week program. Financial Peace University, taught by Dave Ramsey, is a program that teaches families and individuals how to handle their money through common-sense principles and small-group accountability. Call Shawn Hardin at 330-773-7909.

First Presbyterian Church — 636 Park Ave. W., Barberton. 6:30 to 8:15 p.m. each Thursday from Oct. 15 through Nov. 5 for first four sessions of eight-week class called Active Parenting Now for parents of children ages 5-12. Learn how to develop courage, responsibility and character in your children using positive discipline and communication techniques. Cost is $20 per person. Includes baby-sitting and cost of parent guide book. 330-745-2161.

Kent State University — Student Center, Room 306, 7 p.m. Thursday. Clive Rainey, a founder of Habitat of Humanity International, will speak on his 30-plus years in the organization. Free and open to the public. 330-672-8004.

New Wine International Fellowship — 1133 10th St. NE, Massillon. 7:30 p.m. nightly Monday through Oct. 18. Celebrate one year of ministry with the Revs. Jeffery and Lynnette Appling. Freewill offering. Guest speakers will be the Rev. Dana Gammill of Canton on Monday, Prophetess Tampika Howard of Atlanta on Tuesday and Psalmist Mary Tiller Woods of Franklin, Tenn. on Thursday. At 10:30 a.m. Oct. 18, the Rev. Paula Tiller of Circleville will speak, followed by a celebration dinner. 330-479-9488.

North Industry Christian Church — 425 45th St. SW, Canton Township. 10 a.m. Oct. 17. Local telecast of The Heart of a Great Marriage, in conjunction with Church Communication Network. Couples will receive practical tips for making their marriages stronger from some of the country's foremost experts, live via satellite. Dr. Gary Smalley, Dr. Kevin Leman and the Rev. Ted Cunningham will share the keys to building a foundation of trust. $25 per couple. 330-484-2061.

St. Francis de Sales Church — 4019 Manchester Road, Coventry Township. 7 to 9 p.m. Nov. 2-3. Australian-born author Matthew Kelly will offer a two-night presentation series. The first night's topic will be Perfectly Yourself and the following night will be Is Catholicism Still Relevant? An inspirational speaker, Kelly has written 12 books and presented in more than 50 countries. All are invited. 330-644-2225.

St. Paul AME Church — 1800 Tuscarawas St. E., Canton. Wednesday through Oct. 18. 128th session of the North Ohio Annual Conference, Third Episcopal District. Opening service will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday with Men's Night service at 7 p.m. and a revival at 8 p.m. the same day. Wilberforce University Choir will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, followed by a revival at 8 p.m. Closing service at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 18 at TImken High School, 521 Tuscarawas St. W, Canton. 330-455-6003.

United Methodist Church of Uniontown — 13370 Cleveland Ave. NW, Lake Township. 4:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Dec. 16. First semester of K.I.D.'s (Kids Into Discipleship) Club, for age 5 through grade 5. Second semester Jan. 6 to March 10. Music/worship, Bible study, recreation, games and supper. $20 per child per semester. 330-699-3587.

Wesley Temple AME Zion Church — 104 N. Prospect St., Akron. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. Black Health Fair, with a panel of four physicians and a dentist to discuss the failure of too many African-Americans to get annual checkups and pursue medical care. Lunch will be served. Adults $10, teenagers free.