The Ellington Congregational Church is in the middle of a year-longcelebration of its 275 th anniversary .

A celebration in June honored former pastors . One came from as far away as Tennessee . Those who have been ordained in the church were also honored .

“ We had a service and a dinner , ” said the church’s unofficial historian , Mildred Dimock . “ Then we had a Power-Point show of the history of the church . ”

In September , a Founders’ Day celebration welcomed 50-year members of the church . Sr . Pastor Don Bailey-Francois , and his wife , the Rev . Dr . Karen Bailey-Francois , dressed in colonial garb for the service , portraying a man who was a boy when the first minister came to the church .

Many members of the anniversary commission are able to tell of the church’s storied history , although none moreso than Mildred Dimock .

The current building is actually the fourth to be home to the church , after the first pastor , Rev . John McKinstry , held services in his home . “ The first church stood in the town park , ” said Dimock . That was built in 1739 . In 1806 , they built a church in the church park , across the street [ from the current building ] . ”

The third was built on the current site , in 1868 , because the congregation had grown so much in size . That church was destroyed by arson in 1914 . In those days , the church bell was rung to signify that there was a fire , and no one could reach the tower to toll the bell , so the building burned to the ground .

The current building , utilizing the former’s foundation , was dedicated in 1916 .

Dimock has also been including tidbits of the church’s history in the weekly announcement bulletin all yearlong .

The biggest marking of the anniversary is the Labyrinth Memorial Garden , a place for contemplation and prayer . “ That’s one of the things that will be a lasting legacy , ” said committee member Carolyn Ladd .

The design process began in February . Soon after , the fundraising effort began .

Engraved river rocks , that will line the circle around the labyrinth , were sold to local families . The stones are engraved in the memory of family members , or whatever message is wished .

The members were careful to make a distinction between a maze and a labyrinth . “ A maze is designed to fool you, trick you, confuse youand trap you, ” said Dawn Stone . “ A labyrinth is designed to let youwork yourway into a center place . You can’t get lost , youcan’t get trapped . It’s a meditation process . When youget to the center , you’vereached yourcore , or yourgoal . ”

The concept is an ancient one , and the original is in the Chartre Cathedral in Paris , France , which holds the Rosetta Stone in the center .

“ We have the same design , ” said Ladd . “ but not as large as theirs . ”

The center of the Ellington labyrinth will have four wooden logs on end , suitable for sitting and meditating .

The entire 800-ft . path will be accessible to those with difficulty walking . “ The reason we don’t have as many turns as some labyrinths this size is we made the paths wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair or a walker , ” Ladd said .

The path will lead around the side of the church , and along an outdoor classroom , planned for the future .

In a sense , the anniversary celebration is also a celebration of the congregation itself .

“ We have a true cross-generational congregation , ” said Stone . “ You have people in their nineties , and people who haven’t hit three months , sitting in our Sunday service . ”

“ They are a family , ” Ladd said . “ There’s a real family feeling here . It’s a truly caring family community . ”