The Prestons were also instrumental in being responsible for the vibrant church community in East St. Louis. Officer, who attended St. Luke A.M.E. church with the Prestons, said they built St. Paul Church, Greater New Hope Baptist Church, Trinity United Methodist Church and several others.

“They were highly regarded in the scene in the community, and their prestige just went up every building that they put up,” Officer said. “That was a time when the Black church was very prominent in East St. Louis like it was in places like Atlanta, Chicago, Springfield, St. Louis and to have a Black person to build a church in the quality that they built meant a lot.”