Article No.28

Higham Park

The first mention of the Society that met at Higham Park appears to be that in the Higham Ferrers Circuit Account Book, September, 1828. In the following quarter the membership is given as four. It was one of the preaching places in the preachers' plan for January-April, 1832, with a service on Sunday mornings at ten o'clock, and in that of February-April, 1850, with services at 10.30 on Sundays and seven on Tuesdays fortnightly. The last entry was in March, 1880, when the Society became extinct.

The services were held in the farmhouse for many years occupied by Mr. Ralph Dearlove, and were interesting, and according to the Schedule of Chapels, etc., 1851, it was first occupied for worship in 1828; there was accommodation for 80 persons; the congregation attending March 30th, 1851, was 20. Mr. Dearlove's son became a local preacher—"a very fine boy who early passed to his reward.''

Before there was a chapel at Yelden the Methodists went to Higham Park for Sunday morning service. They could not rely upon getting a preacher at Higham Park on Sunday evenings.

The friends at Knotting Green and Souldrop before they had accommodation for holding services attended preaching services at Higham Park. Old George Rich used to walk from Souldrop to preaching services at the same place (vide notes on Yelden and Souldrop).

The earliest date given for Higham Park is 1828, which is entered as "a private house." The accommodation is given as 80 free sittings.