Rockland — One hundred and seventy-five years ago, a group of local Congregationalists decided to form an independent church here in Rockland, then known as Shore Village. With a donation from Mr. Iddo Kimball, they secured the building and hired Mr. Samuel Fessenden, a religious “teacher,” who gave the very first sermon to the new church's members March 8, 1838.

The Rockland Congregational Church will celebrate its 175th anniversary throughout 2013. The first event will take place on Friday, March 8, with a dinner to which all past and present members will be invited.

On Saturday morning, a short film documenting the church's history will be shown continuously in the church theater, plus there will be a presentation on church memorabilia rescued from the original Congregational church, which was destroyed by fire in 1954. The weekend will conclude Sunday, March 10, with a special worship service and a reception afterward featuring the church's beautiful silver tea service.

Anyone who has had a connection to the Rockland Congregational Church — weddings performed, children baptized, special occasions honored — is urged to bring relevant photographs to the church to be scanned and added to the anniversary display.

The church office is open Mondays through Thursdays, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Fridays, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or can be reached by calling 594-8656.