St Leonard's Church, Shoreditch

About St Leonard's Church, Shoreditch

St Leonard’s Church is the historic parish church of Shoreditch, at the junction of Shoreditch High Street and Hackney Road in east London. A church has stood on the site for many centuries. The present building was rebuilt between 1736 and 1740 by George Dance the Elder, the architect of London’s Mansion House, and is listed Grade I by Historic England. The church is associated with London’s early theatre history and is known as the Actors’ Church: members of the Burbage family, connected with The Theatre and The Globe, worshipped at the earlier medieval church. Its heritage features include an 18th-century organ made by Bridge, retaining its original pipework and console, and a rococo clock attributed to Thomas Chippendale. The church’s bells are linked with the nursery rhyme “Oranges and Lemons” and the bell-ringing society now known as the Royal Cumberland Youths. The churchyard contains memorials and burials connected with Shoreditch’s long religious and social history. The Church of England lists Sunday services at 10am and 5pm. Old Street, Liverpool Street, Shoreditch High Street and Hoxton stations are all within roughly a 15-minute walk.

Practical details

Website

https://hackney.church/shoreditch/

Phone

0300 3230 343

Full address

Shoreditch High Street, Shoreditch, London, E1 6JN, United Kingdom

Operating status

Open

Sources

• hackney.church
• historicengland.org.uk
• www.achurchnearyou.com
• hackney.church
• www.achurchnearyou.com
• www.achurchnearyou.com
• hackney.church

Checked 2026-09-02

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