EAST HAVEN -- Instead of the usual spiritual hymns, drums and chants filled the air Saturday at the Old Stone Church on Main Street.

Descendants of the Native American Quinnipiac tribesmen dressed in colorful fringed, leather garb and feather headdresses performed rituals in the tradition of their ancestors inside and outside the church.

And intrigued visitors took it all in, learning about the connection between the congregation and the Quinnipiacs that began exactly 300 years ago.

Church members and the Algonquian Confederacy of the Quinnipiac Tribal Council commemorated the anniversary Saturday with a historic powwow that included demonstrations, a sacred dance circle, educational talks and artifact displays. The event was part of the church community's yearlong anniversary celebration, since it was also established in 1711.

About 75 people watched church leaders and Quinnipiac Tribal Council members Saturday morning sign a Sacred Bond of the Covenant that promised enduring friendship and mutual support, and even more locals stopped by later to witness a sacred dance circle.

"I wish people realize how important the ceremony is because it brings people together. It's so moving," said Pam Standish, a co-chairwoman of the church's anniversary committee who was dressed as a pilgrim. "I don't think people realize how historic the church is."

In 1711, the church gave refuge to Quinnipiacs at a location just behind the current building, according to a copy of the Sacred Bond of the Covenant. The Quinnipiacs needed shelter because other Native American tribes were hunting them to take over their land and earn prestige. In return, the group offered to help build a church building. The existing church building came later in 1774.

Though many Quinnipiacs have lost their identities over the years due to relocations and feeling forced to hide their identities and traditions, there are about 1,500 identified members remaining in the United States. And while the Quinnipiacs are not a U.S. government-recognized tribe, their cultural identity remains strong.

"Today is a different time," said Ruth "little Owl" Duncan-Thunderhorse, chief financial officer of the Quinnipiac Tribal Council. "Racial and religious intolerance is no longer acceptable to the general public. We've truly learned how to live as friends with each other."

Orange resident Eleanor Hylinski said she attended the celebration Saturday because "it's a moment in history."

"I have a respect for the native peoples and [came] in memory of a friend of my family who died years ago and was Native American," she said as she and a crowd of spectators stood in a circle around a group of four singing Quinnipiac Tribal Council members.

Patricia Sitro, husband Salvator Sitro and 8-year-old grandson Tony Sitro also looked on and said they thought attending would be an interesting learning experience. They hoped to see dancing and "understand what the dancing represents, what it's about. I like the fact they said we're all one spirit inside and have one God... I like the unity," Patricia Sitro said.

Earlier in the day, the medicine chief of the Quinnipiac Tribal Council, a man who says he goes by Kirouana, led a crowd inside the church in meditations meant to recall ancestors, honor peace and friendship among different cultures, and "become one mind."

As he stood in a red-fringed top, breechcloth and black-and-red-painted face, he said, "Let's wash away the tears. Every one of you has tears to wash away, not just us."

Two men softly beat drums beside him. Earlier, tribal members explained drum rhythms represents "the heartbeat of Mother Earth" and are an intercessory to the spiritual realm.

The Rainbow Girls and Connecticut DeMolay, local youth organizations, also walked around the crowd gathered in the church waving feathers to conduct the cleansing of the air ceremony, according to Standish.

Tony "Bearskin" Soebuck, a Quinnipiac Tribal Council member from New Hartford who helped organize the day's event, said that while he hoped visitors learned about what happened 300 years ago, he wanted them to also know Quinnipiacs are still around.

"We're still here," he said. "We're still alive and well."

Call Susan Misur at 203-789-5742. Follow her @NHRsusan. To receive breaking news first, simply text the word nhnews to 22700. Standard msg+data rates may apply.