Preston's Parish Church has been a central part of the city's rich and varied past and has provided support for local residents for generations. A full history of the church can be found in Rory O'Brien's 'Tower and Steeple', availble from St John's.
In about 670AD a missionary Priest from the Bishop of York (St Wilfred) arrived in the Saxon settlement at the head of the Ribble estuary that would become Preston. The church became St Wilfred's Church and remained so until after the Reformation in 1581 when it was re-dedicated to St John the Baptist. Over the coming centuries Preston grew to become the wealthiest and most important town in Lancashire with a Royal Charter and Guild Merchant.
The church and Preston withstood the Black Death, the Reformation and Civil War, Depression and various alterations. In 1770 it was re-dedicated to St John the Evangelist and it's bells rang to herald the visit of Bonnie Prince Charlie. In 1853 the whole church was demolished and a new church was built on the original foundations.
The New Church contains foundations of the original building, a Lady Chapel where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved and Daily Mass, a chapel dedicated to King Charles, Saint and Martyr as well as a remarkable reredos, recently installed, which closes for Lent showing the symbols of the Passion. The recently replaced carillon of bells peals every Sunday morning before Mass thanks to a dedicated team of ringers who are looking for more volunteers.