We are grateful to the St. Ives Town Crier for permission to reproduce some of the text and two of the images on this page.

On Sunday July 7, 2002 the Catholics of St Ives and the surrounding villages took to the streets of St. Ives for a procession of the Blessed Sacrament. This is the first time since the Reformation that such an event has been seen in the town.

The weather initially appeared threatening, and umbrellas were in evidence as the firstcomers waited for the procession to start.

The procession started from the quayside, where the dismantled components of the church had been landed, 100 years previously.

By the time the Blessed Sacrament, carried by Fr. Paul Maddison, left the Bridge Chapel, the weather had started to brighten.

Children from the Church's 2002 First Communion class went before the Blessed Sacrament, and the mayor, members of the town council, parishioners and other Christians from the town all joined in the procession, which retraced the route followed by the stones of the Church when it was brought to St. Ives.

The procession passed the statue of Oliver Cromwell in the town centre....

....and continued toward Needingworth Road.

It was joined by a wide variety of people, from all walks of life, singing hymns and witnessing to their faith.

By the time it reached the Church, the procession numbered well over 250 people.

The Church was filled to capacity for the Benediction service which followed the procession.

Fr. Paul Maddison summed up the events of the day in the words: "It is a great honour to recall in this way the efforts of those who have gone before us. It was their vision and hope that saw the beginning of this great parish."