On Sunday, June 8, Cranston’s own Woodridge Congregational United Church of Christ is celebrating its 75th birthday. 

This special day, which also happens to fall on Children’s Sunday and Pentecost, will be full of fun activities, worship and celebration of the church’s 75 years of service. Churchgoers will hear sermons from the Rev. Dr. Patty Kogut, the area conference minister of the Southeast region of the United Church of Christ, as well as an elder from the First Korean Church of Rhode Island and Woodridge Congregational’s the Rev. Aidan Kelley.

Before the service, children will be given noisemakers and will be instructed to use them whenever they hear the word “spirit.” They will also go up on the pulpit steps to sing Happy Birthday in English, Korean and any other language that members of the congregation know.

As with all of his services, the Rev. Kelley hopes to make his congregation feel welcome and to have them come together at this celebration. Toward the end of the service, members will be invited to name important people in their lives, or share how the church has been meaningful to them. There will also be a slideshow of photos depicting the 75-year history of the church.

In 2014, Woodridge Congregational became an open and affirming church and has since prided itself on being inclusive to all. Those attending the 75th anniversary celebration will see a sign out front reading “Faithful for 75 years, all are welcome.”

“The church is diverse, but we are connected,” the Rev. Kelley said.

Though he has only been reverend since September 2024, the Rev. Kelley loves what Woodridge Congregational stands for and the community it offers. He hopes that the inclusive message that his church spreads will allow more people to feel welcome in religious spaces and to let them feel a part of not just a church but a community.

“The relationships people have here really extend beyond Sunday mornings,” he said.

The 75th celebration will begin at 10 a.m. at Woodridge Congregational Church and will also be streamed on YouTube under the channel name Woodridge Church.