THIS photograph, of Church Lane, Prestwich, is dated May 9, 1919.

The buildings on the left have gone and were located close to the site of the previous rectory, as seen in the more recent picture.

Originally, the parish of Prestwich covered an area of some 50 square miles.

The right of nominating the parish priest was granted to Robert de Prestwich, who took the name from the district in which he held his feudal lands.

We know that Robert died in 1206. From this time, 800 years ago and probably for many years before, a place of worship has stood where Prestwich Parish Church now stands.

The rector's house at Prestwich, called the Deyne, was situated on the edge of a steep woody dell where Deyne Avenue now is.

Long before the new road from Manchester to Bury was made, a winding path pursued its way from the church through Prestwich Clough to the Deyne.

This house was built in 1485 and was the home of the rector until 1837 when it was demolished.

Photographs and information supplied by local historian Ian Pratt