The congregation of St. John's Church is marking the 175th anniversary of the founding of Mono parish.

This (Thursday) afternoon, members of the congregation will launch the 175th anniversary program with special outdoor banners prepared for the event. Later, all are invited to a "pay what you can" pioneers' supper of baked beans, back bacon and berries in the church's airconditioned hall.

The faith community of what's today known as the Parish of Mono traces its origins to between 1832 and 1835 and at one point had several churches scattered through Mono. The current, modern church is on the eastern outskirts of Orangeville, on the south side of Highway 9.

Fire claimed the original log church on the 7th Line of Mono in the 1850s. The current St. John's is the fourth structure to bear the same name, its immediate predecessor being in Mono Mills.