MONKTON — From the desk of Candace Polzella:

The East Monkton Church, 405 Church Road, will celebrate its listing in the National Register of Historic Places with an open house on Sunday, July 23, from 1 to 3 p.m. Listing in the National Register honors the 156-year-old, formerly Methodist church’s outstanding architectural heritage and its importance as a busy community center for East Monkton.

The church’s use declined around 1960, but local preparations for the 1976 U.S. Bicentennial revived interest in the building. Volunteers began preservation efforts, and public events were again held there. The nonprofit East Monkton Church Association purchased the property in 2020 from the United Methodist Church.

The open house on July 23 will include a visual look at the history of the church, unveiling of the National Register plaque at 1:30 p.m., and refreshments. The public is warmly invited. Come join in on this celebration of this very special building.