 In 1842 Cowper's eyesight began to fail; he obtained leave of absence to go to London to have an operation and was presented with a purse of £780 by his parishioners to cover his expenses.He returned in 1843 with his sight much improved and with a Lambeth degree of Doctor of Divinity which had been conferred on him by the Archbishop of Canterbury.In 1848 Cowper was instrumental in starting the building of the new church of St Philip and gave £500 towards the cost of it.