(Left) A historic photo of the Broad Street United Methodist Church, which will be celebrating its 150th anniversary from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 31. (Photo submitted by Rich Griffin) (Right) The Broad Street United Methodist Church as it stands today at 74 North Broad Street in Norwich. (Photo by Dustin Genter of 5th Dimension Photography)

NORWICH — The Broad Street United Methodist Church (BSUMC), located at 74 North Broad Street in Norwich, will be celebrating 150 years since their dedication in 1875 from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 31.

The church, known for its towering steeples, was first dedicated on January 14, 1875, but BSUMC Grant Writer Bernie Windsor said they decided to hold their anniversary celebration in May when the weather is nicer.

The United Methodist Church in Norwich first received its charter in the early 1800s, and gathered in a house on West Main Street. In 1836, a small church was built at 74 North Broad Street, which was used for many years until it was torn down to build the larger church that still stands today.

The celebration will include tours of the church; historical displays showing the evolution of the BSUMC from the 1800s to the present; displays on the various groups in the church and organizations that utilize the church; an ice cream social in the Fellowship Hall, with all the ice cream donated by Gilligan's in Sherburne; and music, including songs played on the church's pump organ and live guitar music.