The original St. Leonard's Church was possibly of Saxon origin, although the first written reference of it occurs in the 12th Century

It was situated near the first purpose built playhouse (that was built in 1576) and several of the Elizabethan members of the theatrical profession are buried there

On the 13th December 1716, during the Sunday Service, the tower partial collapsed and the congregation fled, but no-one was killed but many were severely injured; the tower was rebuilt in the Palladian style by George Dance the Elder in 1736-1740

The church has a 192 feet tall steeple and also has a giant 4 columned pedimented Tuscan portico