The England Missionary Training Centre officially opened February 11, 1985. A meeting was held for the opening session presided over by President Joseph B. Wirthlin, Europe Area President. The first Director of the MTC was J. Talmage Jones with his wife Sister Vera Jean Jones. They arrived January 10, 1985 for a tenure of one year. Twelve missionaries were assigned to the first group. 

President Ezra Taft Benson announced June 10, 1986 that the MTC leadership title would be changed from "Director" to "President". This would permit such ecclesiastical functions as the issuing of Temple recommends, setting missionaries apart when necessary, holding independent Sunday services, etc. 

In May 1998 the Missionary Training Centre moved to Preston, Lancashire on the site of the Preston England Temple.  President Gordon B. Hinckley dedicated the MTC along with the Temple in June 1998, he asked “…as we conclude this prayer dedicating Thy holy house, by the same authority of the holy priesthood we dedicate the other structures that comprise this complex designed and built to serve Thy purposes—the Preston England Stake Center, the Missionary Training Center, the Family History facility, the Distribution Center, the Patron Housing and Temple Missionary Accommodation facilities, and the Grounds Building, that each may fulfill its appointed purposes and be preserved and protected from evil hands and unrighteous designs.”

Thousands of missionaries from across the world have been prepared to preach the gospel at these beautiful, dedicated facilities.  The England MTC serves missions across the world and teaches and provides training in 5 languages.  Several members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles have visited the MTC and spoken with missionaries including; Neil L. Andersen, M. Russell Ballard, Quentin L. Cook, Jeffrey R. Holland, Russell M. Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks, L. Tom Perry, Ronald A. Rasband and Dieter F. Uchtdorf.