Church Preen,

sometimes called Preen Church, is a parish and small rural village five miles W. by S. from Much Wenlock. The parish contains 1,026 acres of land, the principal owners of which are F. T. Webster, Esq., and the Rev. Samuel Minton. In the year 1801 here were 84 inhabitants; 1831, 75, and in 1841, 17 houses and 101 inhabitants. Rateable value, £1,026. 18s. 6d. Here was formerly a small cell of cluniac monks, subordinate to the priory of Wenlock. “In the 29th of Edward I., the cell of Preene was holden of the lords of Holgod, and that on a vacancy the lords of that castle had the custody of the same, and the prior of Wenlock in such a vacancy presented the custodes to the lords of Holgod, who being so presented received the temporalities.” The Church is remarkable for its length, and the chancel, which belongs to the lay impropriators, occupies more than half the space. It is situated close to the hall, and indeed the walls are so incorporated as to form a part of the mansion. The living is a perpetual curacy in the patronage of F. T. Webster, Esq., and enjoyed by the Rev. Robert Armitage. No tithe or rent charge is paid to the perpetual curate, but a small modus is due from the landowners, and the living is also endowed with £800 royal bounty, and £200 parliamentary grant. The Manor House or Hall, an ancient mansion, originally formed part of the cell above noticed, is now the residence and property of Frederick T. Webster, Esq. The main portion of the land in this parish lies upon a sunny slope, the high grounds of which command some extensive and beautiful prospects. It is generally thought that coal abounds beneath the soil in this parish.

Directory.—Frederick T. Webster, Esq., The Hall. Farmers, John Aslop, John Dixon, John Everall Newhouse, and Edward Madeley.