The local C of E church is St Andrew's in Preston, located behind the Spice Ship pub.
St Andrew's is part of The Ridgeway Benefice*, a group of local churches that also includes
- Holy Trinity Church in Bincombe
- St Francis of Assisi Church in Littlemoor
- St Laurence Church in Upwey
- St Nicholas Church in Buckland Ripers
- St Osmund's Church in Osmington
- St Nicholas Church in Broadwey
* A Benefice is a group of churches, bigger than a Parish but smaller than a Diocese.
For more information about St Andrew's and other Ridgeway churches, visit weymouthridgeway.org.uk
To sign up for their weekly Newsletter, contact
For details of worship taking place at St Andrew's click here and for the other Ridgeway Team Churches, click here.
For contact details for St Andrew's and the other Ridgeway Team Churches, click here.
Click here to learn more about the church's history
Read the latest Register Magazine here
Memorials: The Dorset Family History Society are gradually making records of gravestone and memorial inscriptions for churches in Dorset, but it is not clear to us whether St Andrew's has yet been included. There is a record at the Imperial War Museum site of the St Andrew's War Memorial inscription and the names of the 42 locals who died in the two World Wars.
Here are texts from memorial plaques in the church:
| In affectionate memory of SUSANNA MARY HEATH for three years a resident at Wyke Oliver in this parish. She died 18 June 1883. Her children arise up and call her blessed. |
| In Memoriam JOSIAH WALLIS Died at Wyke Oliver in this Parish Dec 2nd 1863, aged 49 years. MARTHA his Wife Died at Warminster, Wilts Sep 10th 1879 aged 64 years. |
| In affectionate remembrance of Charles Gill who slept in Jesus on the 21st of November 1859, aged 38 years. "Because I live ye shall live also" And of Emily, wife of the above, who fell asleep in Jesus Jan 10th 1871, aged 44 years |
| In ever loving memory of Sergeant Harold J.J. Guppy, D.C.M. of the 1/1st Dorset Yeomanry, the dearly beloved son of Joseph & Annie Guppy, of Leonard House, Preston, who was killed in action in Palestine at the moment of victory while nobly leading his troop on Nov 13th 1917, aged 21 years. His body now rests in the Holy Land, on the ridge which his Regiment had just captured, in sight of Jerusalem. He was one of the bravest and best, beloved and respected by Officers and Men alike. He died noble death fighting for justice and right. |
| In memory of Capt. William Lord, R.N. who died at Southdown in this Parish on the 15th March 1865, aged 62. And of Fairlina Euphimia, his wife who died at Southdown on the 4th February 1865, aged 42. |
| He being dead yet speaketh Octavius Piers, B.A. for thirty two years the faithful and beloved Pastor of this Parish rested from his labour of love Feb 25th A.D. 1848, aged 59 His sorrowing people, poor as well as rich, erected this tablet as a testimony of their gratitude to their ALMIGHTY FATHER for his mercy in so long sparing to them A MINISTER whose earnestness in defence of the truth, zeal in his pastoral duties, and tender love of souls proved him "A Good Soldier of Jesus Christ" |
| The Vicar here intombed lyes whose patron him doth eternity his fayre works of charity may not with him still buried be but live in lasting memory He dyed Anno Domini 1614 Aetatis 32 |
| Sacred to the memory of Roger Keating, Esqr. a Captain in Her Majesty's 87th Royal Irish Fusiliers, Youngest son of Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Sheehy Keating, Knight Commander of the most honourable military Order of the Bath, and Colonel of Her Majesty's 54th Regiment. He was born on the 5th of April 1805, and died on the 4th of May 1842. |
| In affectionate and loving memory of Thomas Pope of this Parish who departed this life September 6th 1883, aged 49 years. Also of Jane, wife of the above, who died Oct 25th 1879, aged 38 years. Also of Alice Harriet, third daughter of the above, who fell asleep Jan 4th 1890, aged 23 years. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. Heb IV 9 |
| In memory of Thomas Tristram Piers, Colonel of the Bombay Staff Corps, and fifth son of the late Revd. Octavius Piers, Vicar of this Parish. He was born at Preston 7th March 1824, and died at sea five days after leaving Bombay for England 29th May 1873. "When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee" Is. XLIII 2 |