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I often see this church when I’m in East London, usually musing on it while drinking at one of the many bars opposite what is surely one of London’s finest churches. In fact, I first painted this scene a few years ago while waiting for a friend delayed on the Tube.

In high summer, St Leonard’s, Spitalfields, is bathed in light beneath the canopies of trees. It’s a scene well worth painting, whether just passing the time or not.

The view is beautifully complemented by the Clerk’s House, built in 1724—a rare Georgian survivor. Originally, as the name suggests, it housed church clerks, but now serves commercial purposes while retaining its historic brick façade.

When I was younger, I always wanted to live here. After all, it’s not far to get home from a good night out—just across the road, in fact.

A bit about St Leonard’s Church

St Leonard’s Church, Shoreditch, is a historic landmark with roots in Saxon times, rebuilt in 1740 by architect George Dance the Elder. Famous as the “actor’s church,” it is the final resting place of many Elizabethan performers associated with Shakespeare’s theatres. Its grand classical façade, tall spire, and impressive portico dominate Shoreditch High Street.

Despite damage during World War II, it remains a vibrant parish, blending worship, heritage, and community service, embodying centuries of London’s theatrical and spiritual history.

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