Norwich bulletin., 1921-07-28
EWEA rE

pr. S. H. Holmes was affected by the heat Wednesday,. Dr. r. E. Rainvilie was called and late in the evening re- ported his patient much more comforta- ble.
 As result of the terrific electrical storm which passed over this section on Tuesday afternoon the Packerville Zap tist church was struck by lightning and totally destroyed. as noted in Wcdnes- days Bulletin. Jewett City feels deep interest in this calamity, uo- c7ly be- cause this church was one of the cut standing ancient and historic 'anem7;ks in Windham county. and notable amcr= the early meeting houses ia this end of Connecticut. but because Noluntown Baptis. church and Jewett City Baptist church are her only daughters.
 Captain Daniel Packer moved into the village of Packerville in 1895 The in- terests of religion were then at a low state the Sabbath was disreEarded and the warning voice of the Bible oy r"ost people was neither heard TOT hcr''el- He formed a resolution that should the Lord prosper him he would see 10 it that house of worship was erected Jeweit City people. many of whom were at one time or another residents of Psckerville know how well he succeeded True to his promise. and largely by the use Of his own money. the church that was de- stroyed Tuesday was erected. In 1928. The first pastor was Rev. Levi Knee land; he was ordained there. and rec ords say that he labored perseveringly and overcame the obstacles that con stantly surrounded the church. The church at this time met at Jewett City every fifth Sunday In the first nine ] hHT#H ca one were baptized by the pastor. Rev. Mir. Kneeland. Between October 1928 and the time the church was built ser vices were held in a grove and in the winter in the carpenter shop of the mill or in an adjacent schoolhouse.
 After the church was there was no way to wa 4 stove com mittee was a~---. - m January. 1881, and they l.l-...e no report until Feb rua-y 1884. The records again go on to say that all this time services were held with no heat.
 Elder Kneeland died in August. 1884 at the age of 54. and was buried in the Packer lot. where his grave may be seen today just in the rear of the church His last message from ms dying pillow to his church was, Tell them to O. Christians throughout. to be ashamed ot nothing but sin. to act for the glory ot God at all times"
 During his pastorate of six years h, baptized almost four hundred persons.
 The church mourned the death of t, benefactor, Daniel Packer. in Januar, 1s5S
 Aug. 1, 1S4o, Rufus Williams of Jew ett City requested letters for himself an, two brethren and twelve sisters to forn themselves into a church in Jewett City
 The Packerville church received a be quest from the estate of Deacon Eph raim Browning during the pastorate O Rev. Otis B. Rawson, and celebrated th semi-centennial in October 1878 At thi time the members and many visi.int friends went in procession, bearing tn beautiful flowers that had been Lsed fl decorate the church, and with aeeD emo ton decorated the grave Of inc belovei and lamented Pastor Kneelan1 Gath cred around that quiet grave under th boughs of beautiful fir tres. all bowel in prayer and were led by P. Mathewsur There was a large delegation rom Jew ett City there for this tribute Of affoc ton to the sainted dead.
 The present pastor. Rev. J. W. Hig , gins, came to the church in 1908. H has just passed his 75th birthday. Hi policies today can be lillened to the al
 most century-oId doctrine of the churc the uplift of humanity and strict ad herence to the undying Christian princi ples.
 Among other facts gleaned from A. Lincoln's history of Windham county al
 tention is called to how the change