Preedy was born inOffenham near Evesham in Worcestershire and died at his son's home in Croydon. During his early life, his family moved from Offenham to nearby Fladbury. Following his death a memorial was erected to him in the church of St John the Baptist,Fladbury, Worcestershire. This also remembers his wife Mary (1831 - 1889), and daughter Alice Mary (1860 - 1899). He was buried atFoxham in Wiltshire.
He trained as an architect in Worcester withHarvey Eginton.[1] Following the early death of Eginton in 1849 he set up his own architectural practice in Worcester. In 1860 he moved his business to London.
For his early churches he commissioned stained glass windows from George Rogers in Worcester, but after around 1853 began to make his own glass. He is thought to be the only architect of his time who also both designed and made his stained glass windows.[2] His legacy includes windows inWorcester Cathedral,Gloucester Cathedral,Lincoln Cathedral andEly Cathedral, and numerous parish churches, particularly in Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Norfolk.[2]
