Senior Historical Tour

 We traveled in vans to the different historical sites.  Our first stop was the house where President Hinckley stayed while he was a missionary here in Preston.

 Dad is very curious about the Muslim women who live here in Preston.  How do they live their lives with veils covering their faces all the time?

 The "Old Cock Pit" was where they had town meetings and cock fights.  The first missionaries would preach in this area.

 Avenham Park is where the first members were baptized in England.  There are plaques in the park commemorating the importance of the first missionaries coming to England, their loving acceptance by most of the people and the baptisms that took place.

 President Ulrich had the Elders reenact the young men running across the Avenham bridge to be the first ones baptized.

 This is the man who led us on the tour.  can't remember his name sadly.  President Ulrich also added information at various sites.  This is the monument located in Preston Market Square.  This is where the missionaries would have street meetings.  They stood on a soap box to get the peoples attention and to help carry their voice above the noise of the crowd.

 This is the place of the first textile mill here in Preston.  There is only a plaque located in a garden.

 Dad and I pose on the Avenham Bridge.  The wind is hard on the hair.

 We traveled to Downham where we had lunch in the local pub.

 This is the Lord and Lady of Downham with their oldest son.  They were very gracious to talk with us and welcome us to their town.  Downham has the look of old England because they busy all the electrical wires etc. under the ground.  It is a quiet and beautiful town.  The first missionaries were loved and accepted by the people here.  Many were baptized and as the missionaries left the town the people sang and followed them waving goodby.  They were so happy to have the gospel taught to them.

 This is an old gate located next to the church.

 The church located in the center of town.

 The "inspiration tree" is located out in the middle of a field.  This is where Elder Jeffrey R. Holland came to pray and he actually received the inspiration to build the Preston Temple in Chorley.

 This was such a beautiful and peaceful place.

This is the river where people were baptized.  The missionaries had to dam up an area so they could have a deep enough are to baptize.