St Peter & St Paul, Preston Deanery

Preston Deanery is nowadays a tiny village; its church stands in a very rural location. It is not used for regular worship, but occasional services and other events take place.

The oldest structure is 12^th century, but its major architectural feature is even older. On either side of the chancel arch is a decorated course showing a snake and other animals and birds. This dates from the 10^th century and is Viking in style; the stones are thought to be remnants of a churchyard cross.

In the 13^th and 14^th centuries Preston Deanery was a thriving village and the church was larger than it is today. A low point in its life was in the late 16^th century when the lord of the manor kept his pigeons in the tower and his greyhounds in the chancel.

Since 1976 it has been cared for by The Churches Conservation Trust. It is a building with no heating or electric light, but a very special atmosphere. The church is kept locked but visitors are welcome. The notice board on the roadside will tell you where to find a key.