North Stonington — It was about two years ago that the Rev. David Jordan, rummaging around the Second Baptist Church sanctuary one morning, found a note with the date the church was founded: 1765.

"I said, 'Wow, in two years, we'll be 250 years old,'" Jordan said. "That's an incredible accomplishment ... that's 11 years before we had the Revolution."

So Jordan, working with members of a committee formed last June — as well as with countless other church members — began planning for the celebration that occurred Sunday morning.

After being greeted by a couple church members dressed in period costume, those in attendance heard various North Stonington Public Schools students sing and play the violin. They listened as Jordan outlined two proclamations the Stillman Road Church received from Gov. Dannel Malloy and from Secretary of the State of Connecticut Denise Merrill. And they watched as about 20 people became "Golden Circle Honorees," recognized for attending the church for 50 or more years.

At least 150 of the more than 200 present for the morning service then headed to the North Stonington Christian Academy. Sitting at tables complete with vases arranged by several church members, they had lunch and the opportunity to get a close-up look at handmade commemorative items, such as a quilt made up of pictures of the church over the years.

Jordan said the initiative members of the church took in advance of the celebration — volunteering Saturdays to plant donated sod, make signs, paint shutters — helped make the day "perfect."

"That's when you know that people are excited about their church," he said. "That's when you know that they want to come to their church and they want it to look nice."

The time he spent digging through clerk and membership records, photographs and journals, Jordan said, was "really interesting."

He learned, for example, about Elder Simeon Brown, the church's first pastor. Brown had the role from 1765 to 1815 and wasn't paid a penny for it.

"His great-great granddaughter was our organist for 52 years," Jordan said, referring to the late Alice (Brown) Morgan, who died in 2012.

As he reflected on what he'd learned, Jordan, who retired from Electric Boat in 2009, recalled time he spent in European countries.

"There are churches that have been there for 1,500 years, but they're empty, they're closed," he said, referring to Venice, Italy. "It's like, 'What happened? Why did that church close, and why is our church still alive?'"

The North Stonington Second Baptist Church, which had almost 500 members when it was founded, almost closed around the time of the Civil War. Now, it has 100 members and about 40 others who come from time to time. Jordan said a focus on entertaining children and being active in the community has helped the church thrive.

There have been physical changes, too. It's seen side buildings come and go, its doors have moved from one side to the other, its pillars have changed. About 30 years ago, a steeple was added that wasn't included on the original building. And, in part because Jordan has taken only 20 percent of his salary since he became pastor in 2010, the church has received new doors, columns and vinyl siding, as well as a repaving of its parking lot.

"It's our way of serving Him and not putting a financial burden on the church," Jordan said, adding that his wife, Mary Anne Jordan, plays a large role in the church, too. "Our legacy will be that when we leave ... we will leave the church in good solid condition both physically and financially. That's a blessing to us, to be able to do that."

l.boyle@theday.com

Twitter: @LindsayABoyle