"It was decided not to have the new churchyard consecrated, but on July 10, 1849, the new parish church of St. Mary's, Clophill, was consecrated by the Bishop of Ely in the presence of Earl Grey, Viscount Fordwicke and Viscount Boyle; Messrs. Barnard, Oliver, Chapman and Mendham; the Rev. Dr. Wray, the Bishop's Chaplain, the Archdeacon of Bedford, and the clergy from St. John's and St. Paul's, Bedford, the Infirmary, Biddenham, Elstowe, Great Barford, and Roxton, Kempton, Marston, Maulden, Ampthill, Ridgemont, Weston and Harlington, Tingrith, Pulloxhill, Flitton, Barton, Haynes, Campton, Silsoe, Gravenhurst, Shillington, Meppershall, Clifton, Henlow, Luton, the Rev. W. J. Turner 'and a clergyman from New York' (no name given). The morning sermon was preached by the Ven. Archdeacon Tattam from 2 Chronicles 7: 15, 16, and the evening sermon was by the Rector from Haggai 2: 95 'The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, saith the Lord of Hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of Hosts.' A prophetic text! On Sunday 22 the sacrament of holy communion was first celebrated in this church, and there were eighty-four communicants."
The Cleft In The Hills. Rev W.A.M. Grant.