After Reverend Teagardin's uncle takes ill, he comes to Coal Creek, WV, to take over the other's church. His first connection happens during the arrival luncheon, where he embarrasses Arvin Russell's grandmother over her fried chicken livers, causing Arvin to dislike the preacher. Preston then takes advantage of Lenora Laferty's innocence after she comes to the church for shelter from the rain. It's his connections to both Arvin and Lenora that end in his death.
Preston gets Lenora pregnant, telling her they didn't actually have sex (even though they did) when she confronts him. Preston says he won't acknowledge the child and that he can't be the father, resulting in Lenora's accidental death — which everyone believes is a suicide. A sheriff's deputy tells Arvin about Lenora's pregnancy after her death. Arvin decides to kill the preacher for what he did to Lenora and how he continuously preys on the community.