Minster Church of Saint John the Evangelist, Preston

St John's stands on an ancient Christian site, originally dedicated to Saint Wilfrid. The church is not specifically mentioned in the Domesday Book, the earliest documentary reference being in 1094, when it was part of a grant by Roger de Poiteau to the abbey at Sées. None of the fabric of this church has survived. It was replaced by a new church, probably in the 16th century. In 1581 its dedication was changed to Saint John the Baptist. It was repaired during the following century, but by 1770 its condition had deteriorated. In that year its dedication was changed again, this time to Saint John the Evangelist. To mark the granting of city status to Preston, in 2003 the church was renamed…

The arcades in both the nave and chancel are carried on quatrefoil piers. Both the nave and chancel have hammerbeam roofs. At the west end of the church is a gallery supported by timber piers. incorporating photographic passages including a street scene from the 1972 Preston Guild processions. The church is also appointed with windows by William Wailes, dating from the 1850s and, under the tower, a window by Lancastrian firm Shrigley and Hunt dated 1907. The earliest memorial is a brass dated 1623. Elsewhere there are memorials to members of the Hoghton family, and in the tower is the tomb-recess of Thomas Starkie Shuttleworth who died in 1819. In 1889 it was rebuilt by William Hill and Son…