The Ledyard United Methodist Church will celebrate its 175th anniversary Sunday with a special service, a picnic lunch, games, a dedication of a new stained glass window and a historical display of important highlights of the church's history.

Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will be helping in various capacities, and the Cayuga Lake Junior Grange will be participating in games from 100 years ago, said Kris Minster, the chairperson of the anniversary committee.

“We've got a lot going on,” he added.

This full-day event is free and open to the community and will include a number of menu items. Members will grill hot dogs and hamburgers and serve desserts and a sheetcake.

In keeping with the historic theme, antique buggies will be on display, courtesy of the Haines Farm and Bill Hitchcock, and the Scipioville Presbyterian Church will provide a display of historic costumes and clothing.

The stained glass window that will be dedicated was created in memory of Corey Riester, a church member who was killed in an auto accident in July 2000.

The window was paid for by donations and the sale of votive candles, sun catchers that were made from the church's century-old glass windows that had been replaced during a renovation project and note cards that featured the design of the window.

Tony Serviente, of Serviente Glass Studios, designed and installed the window, continuing the work begun by Chereme Bothwick, who died of cancer before being able to finish the project.

“The design features a setting sun surrounded by trees and water,” he said. “It's not just a window, it's a church window. There is a lot of symbolism with the sun, which is light, and which sounds like ‘son,' as in the son of God.”

The origins of the United Methodist Church started in England with the spiritual revival message of John Wesley. The Ledyard church began in a meeting house used as early as 1833. A modest church building was erected in the 1840s, but it burned down in 1873.

The building that now sits on the church property on Route 34B was built in 1875 and has been remodeled four times since then.

The schedule of events for the day beings with the Sunday morning worship service with Deborah O'Connor Slater, the district superintendent, as guest speaker. At noon, the food will be served and at 2 p.m. the stained glass window will be dedicated. The celebration will close at 4 p.m.

Pastor Russell Riddell said he was not the coordinator of the anniversary celebration.

“This is something the church membership has taken a leadership role in,” he explained. “I'm thrilled that they have been able to pull this together, showing the church as a community resource.”

In his message to visitors of the church's Web site, Riddell wrote: “Here, at Ledyard United Methodist Church, we believe that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is that one element we all need in our lives. It's that simple, and we would love for you to share in His love with us. ... Whether you are young or mature, have a deep faith or are exploring what faith really means to you, know that you are always welcome at the Ledyard United Methodist Church.”

If you go

What: Ledyard United Methodist Church's 175th anniversary celebration

When: Beginning with a 10:45 a.m. worship service Sunday, July 6

Where: Ledyard United Methodist Church, Route 34B, Ledyard

Cost: Free

To learn more: Call Meta Riester at 253-6612