St. Giles Church - Rev. Henry Pahtahquahong Chase, 1876

During his visit to Norwich in March 1876, the Rev. Henry Pahtahquahong Chase also delivered a sermon here at St Giles Church on behalf of the Colonial and Continental Church Missionary Society. According to newspaper reports, there was a "crowded congregation" eager to hear Rev. Chase's words and he spoke eloquently about his work as a missionary in Ontario, Canada. He also discussed his success among one of the congregations under his charge but lamented that they had "no place of worship in which to assemble." Therefore, he hoped that he "should meet with Christian benevolence and sympathy" to raise the money for the new building.

This congregation came from the community now known as the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation. Find out more about their history here: http://www.cottfn.com/chief-council/our-history/.