THE first baptism in the city's historic new minster takes place this weekend and it marks an unusual homecoming.

Toddler Ian-Lee Henry Richard James Cooke of Clayton Green near Preston will be baptised in the Minster Church of St John the Evangelist's 19th century font, which until a few years ago was in the now closed St Mary's Church off New Hall Lane.

During the minster refurbishment which started in 2001, church leaders saved the font from an uncertain future by negotiating its removal and now it sits yards from the spot where original designer Carus Wilson, a former vicar of Preston, was buried in the 19th century.

Father Tom Davis, assistant parish priest, said: "Carus Wilson was only 47 when he died. He was an architect as well as the parish priest and he designed five churches in Preston including Christ Church and St Mary's."

According to the history books, Carus died before the minster was built on Church Street and is buried under the new altar. Records show there has been a church on the site for 1500 years.

Builders working on the minster which reopened in June, had to move the heating pipes around the vault where he is buried

Now the font he designed during his 23 year tenure from 1816 sits across the church from its creator, who was based on the site as vicar of Preston.

James and Hayley Cooke, the parents of two and a half-year-old Ian-Lee waited two and a half years while the refurbishment was carried out so their child could be baptised in the church.

Father Davis, said: "It will be the first baptism in the newest minster since the Reformation. It really is making history in the same way as the first child born in the millennium."

"It's rather nice that the family has sat around for two and a half years and waited so they can use the font. It's important that they should be going home to their parish church for such an important event in the child's life."