NORTHFIELD — Dwight L. Moody biographer Kevin Belmonte will deliver the presentation “D.L. Moody: A Life,” based on his book of the same name, on Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Trinitarian Congregational Church, 147 Main St., as part of Northfield’s 350th anniversary events.

Belmonte will trace Moody’s development from an impoverished childhood to a world-famous speaker, founder of educational institutions for women and men, and the inspiration for graduates who founded hospitals, orphanages and other organizations in service of God.

Moody is also acknowledged for his insistence on diversity in his educational institutions, enrolling Black, white and Native American girls and boys in his schools.

Completing what organizers are calling the “Moody Trilogy” are two programs about the people who were part of Moody’s history-making activities in Northfield.

With thousands of followers coming to hear him preach, people needed places to stay. This led to the development of Rustic Ridge, a neighborhood of largely summer residences built by Moody devotees, whose descendants still spend their summers there. Margie Conner, one of those descendants, will speak about Rustic Ridge at a coffee hour at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 22, at Dickinson Memorial Library.

Singing was a vital part of Moody’s summer conferences. Hymns composed and sung during his time, along with musical memorabilia from the late 18th century, will be presented in “Hymnology: The Hymns of Northfield,” sponsored by the C.S. Lewis Study Center in Northfield but held at the Community Bible Church, 105 Main St., on Sunday, July 30 at 2 p.m.

Visit northfield350.org for details about what’s next for anniversary events in 2023.

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