The public is welcome to join the Town of Richford and Richford Congregational Church members on Aug. 14 and 15 for a 200th anniversary celebration. The event is being held at Richford’s Rawley Park.
A time to connect with old friends or make new ones, the Sunday celebration centers around the 200th anniversary of the church and the contributions and impact it has made on the Town and community. It is suggested that guests bring along a lawn chair to be used at a picnic, along with seating for live music.
Activities for all ages are planned for Saturday, Aug. 14 at Rawley Park.
The Richford Historical Society will host an Open House from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Old Graded Schoolhouse.
Tours of the Church and churchyard cemetery will be held at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., and again at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. The tour includes a stop by a new memorial stone for Augustus Van Buren, who was an early member of the Church and considered a Town of Richford pioneer.
A 200th anniversary celebration of the Richford Congregational Church, pictured, and a celebration of the Town of Richford is scheduled Aug. 14 and 15. An opening ceremony will begin at 12:45 p.m. Activities on Aug. 14 feature cemetery walks starting as early as 10 a.m., along with an open house hosted by the Richford Historical Society, a picnic, live music, door prizes, games, a sock hop, and a rededication of Rawley Park. A special sermon, rededication of the church and refreshments are planned on Aug. 15 starting at 10:30 a.m. Provided photo.
An opening ceremony is scheduled for 12:45 p.m., with a picnic lunch to follow from approximately 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Door Prizes will be drawn every half hour. Guests are encouraged to grab their camera or cell phone and take photos at the Photo Tent.
The Valley Harmony singing group will perform starting at 1:30 p.m., with a rededication of Rawley Park planned for 2:30 p.m.
Shortly after the rededication, games for children are slated to begin about 2:45 p.m., along with a presentation by Barb Birdsall Miller.
Flashback to the 1950’s, and all are invited to participate in an old-fashioned sock hop at 3 p.m. Socks will be provided and a trophy will be awarded.
At 4 p.m., and to conclude the first day centennial festivities, Thee KinFolk band will perform.
The celebration continues on Sunday, Aug. 15 at the Richford Congregational Church. The sermon, “Walk in the Old Paths,” and based on Jeremiah 6:16, will be delivered by Pastor Chris Corlett beginning at 10:30 a.m. A rededication of the Church will be held shortly thereafter, followed by refreshments in the Church Fellowship Hall.
One hundred years ago, the invitation pictured was shared with Town of Richford residents. A 200th anniversary celebration of the Richford Congregational Church and a celebration of the Town is scheduled for Aug. 14 and 15. Provided photo.
Carol Mott, chairperson of the planning committee, remarked, “It is my hope that this celebration will bring us together to not only reminisce about our past, but to look forward to each day we are given. Remember the longer we live, the more we need to realize the impact our attitude has on our life.”
Mott expressed that individuals should remember the impact each one of us has on our own life and the lives of others, and added, “The future of our Richford community is what WE the people together make it. Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it is about learning to dance in the rain. Let us all hope for sunshine on our celebration.”
My wife Helen & I hope to attend both,days.
Former Pastor of,the Richford Congregatial Church,
Pastor Jim Sweeney
Thanks to all who helped and developed this celebration. I grew next door to the church and friends of mine always played in the churchyard during the wintertime, (Colleen Eichorst, Bobby Herrick, and myself, Tony Patterson, and more. I wish the congregation congratulations on this anniversary and more years to come.