England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Preston upon the Weald Moors St Lawrence

The Parish

The parish of Preston upon the Weald Moors lies in eastern Shropshire roughly 5 miles north of Telford New Town. Preston sits about 2 miles north of the A442 road which links Telford through to Hodnet. Preston gets its lengthy name from the former "moors" which largely lies to its north, in the past they were un-drained and termed a "morass", today they are rich peaty farming land criss-crossed with man-made drains. Preston is largely built around a "T" junction of lanes with most properties lining the main north-to-south running lane. Preston is most noted for its hospital founded in 1716 from the will of Catherine, Lady Herbert as an almshouse for 12 women and 12 girls. Like most western parishes pastoral farming would have dominated the local economy and even today there is much lush pasture on the ancient moors. Most of the water falling on the parish drains steadily westwards into the River Tern which heads southwest to meet the Severn near Atcham, the Severn has a lengthy course southwards eventually reaching the Bristol Channel. Preston is sited at around 60 metres above the sea, some 10 metres above moor-height, land rises steadily southeastwards reaching close to 150 metres in Oakengates. Preston parish was rather small for its county, covering a mere 882 acres, it nevertheless supported around 250 parishioners. Domesday Preston was even smaller, a holding of Ralph de Mortimer its assets were meagre, just a pair of ploughs.

The Church

St Lawrence's church sits just west of the village's main lane on a side lane that performs a 90 degree turn around the site. As can readily be seen the church is a relatively modern one, built in the early 18th century when the population had grown due to the presence of the hospital. Originally just a nave and western tower, the small chancel was added in 1853 in a reference to the Early English Gothic style by including 3 lancet styled windows on its eastern face. The work of the Victorians in 1853 also re-roofed the main body of the church. On-street parking is acceptable due to the quiet nature of this lane. Wooden gates at the corner of the bend granting access to the site, the church almost touches the boundary of the churchyard at the eastern end so some aspects are compromised but most angles are available to the photographer.