Higham Ferrers Church re-opening, Thursday 22 1863. In Doomsday Book, Higham, same as now, the Church was finished 1250 to 1260. Tower Early English, the lower part of the Tower contains in the Western face the principal Entrance to the Church, like those at Raunds & Rushden it is double, or set in a sort of shallow porch. Before the restoration it was in a ruinous state. The contractors for the Walls & Roof were Messrs Ruddle & Thompson of Peterboro’, Flooring - Mr James Hayes, Seating - Mr Conquest, Kempston. Clerk of Works - Mr J Butler, Architect - Mr Slater (same as Stanwick) 4 Carlton Chambers, Regent Street, London.

Re-opening Morning was exceedingly fine, the Roads were swarming with people; it was truly a Red-letter day. Service at 11. Corporation met at Town Hall, there was a fine Arch of Evergreen. Prayers to 3rd Collect - Rev. Mal, after 3rd Collect - Rev. S. Allen, first lesson by Archdeacon Davies, second lesson - Vicar of Kimbolton Rev. Ainsworth.

The 'Venite', ‘Te Deum' & Jubilante were chanted & nothing else, a circumstance which on such an interesting occasion is to be regretted. The Church was densely crowded, scarcely standing room. Sermon by the Bishop of London. He said the Psalms. 120th to 134th were chanted by the Pilgrims up to the feast of Jerusalem, It was thought the 121st & 122nd marked the distant stages of their progress, thus the 121st Psalm might be sung on the evening when they came in sight of Jerusalem 'I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills', The 122nd might be sung the next morning when they entered Jerusalem.

Luncheon in the Bedehouse. The Vicar proposed the health of the Queen. The Mayor (Cox) proposed the health of the Vicar. The company then left the room, & the tables cleared in order that tea might be provided for visitors. Collection in the morning, £173, collection at the three Services £242.