At the impressive age of 310, the Rochester Congregational Church has maintained a welcoming, warm, and vibrant community.

The parish was founded on Oct. 13, 1703 by eight men, including the Rev. Samuel Arnold. At this past weekend’s 10:30 Sunday morning service, two parishioners dressed in period attire to play the parts of Rev. Arnold and his wife Sarah. They shared stories of colonial hardships tempered with thankfulness.

While Sunday, Oct. 13 was the only day of celebratory events for the anniversary, there have been many birthday bashes in the past.

As parishioner and Rochester Historical Society member Betty Beaulieu put it, the church community chose to celebrate at 310 years “to take a look back at the people responsible for the church being here.”

A chicken dinner was also held Sunday night to raise money to preserve church records. According to Anna White, historian and church member, all 100 plus families in the church were involved in putting on the dinner.

At the dinner, Beaulieu and White shared detailed original documents and photographs, the earliest of which dated back to 1710.

The so-called “Church on the Green” has remained in the same location all these years, and for the most part, has retained its original architecture. According to member lists dating back to the first years of the church, many current members are descendants of early settlers of the area who helped the congregation flourish.

The parishioners’ pride and enthusiasm in their church’s history was readily apparent throughout the celebrations.