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St Leonard's, Shoreditch
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
St Leonard's, Shoreditch is the ancient parish church of Shoreditch, often known simply as "Shoreditch Church". It is perhaps most famous for being mentioned in the line "when I grow rich, say the bells of Shoreditch" in the nursery rhyme Oranges and Lemons.
The church is possibly Saxon in origin, though the first historical reference to it occurs in the 12th century.
It is noted as the burial place of several members of the theatrical profession, from the Elizabethan period, including:
- James Burbage, the founder of The Theatre, England's first playhouse, built in Shoreditch in 1576.
- His son Richard, who was the leading man in many of Shakespeare's plays, which were first performed in the contemporary Shoreditch theatres.
- The comedian Richard Tarlton, who was a stalwart of the pre-Shakespearian stage.
These, with others of their profession from the period, are commemorated by a modern monument in the church which serves as a reminder of Shoreditch's Shakespearian heritage.
The medieval church was rebuilt in Palladian style in the 18th century, with a soaring steeple and columned and pedimented portico. The new church was designed by George Dance, architect of the Mansion House, and was finally completed in 1740. It was lit with gaslight in 1817, the first in London. One of its parishioners at that time was James Parkinson, after whom Parkinson's disease is named.
The church is now in the London borough of Hackney. The parish stocks and whipping post stand in the porch of the church.
Sugden, K. (n.d) Under Hackney: The Archaeological Story. (Friends of Hackney Archives).