Churches

'Oranges and lemons
say the bells of St Clement's'

The church of the Royal Air Force. Built by
Christopher Wren 1682. Destroyed by bombing
1941. Restored by RAF 1958.

One original bell 'Sanctus', cast in 1588,
survives to join in playing Oranges and Lemons
and the Air Force March. According to legend, cargoes
from ships moored on the Thames below were carried
through the churchyard and a toll of oranges and
lemons was paid to the church wardens.

'You owe me five farthings
Say the bells of St Martin's'

James Gibb 1726. A famous spire and portico. A fine
Venetian east window and moulded plaster ceiling.
Replaced a 1544 rebuilding of a church
first mentioned in 1222.

'When will you pay me?
Say the bells of Old Bailey'

Rebuilt in 1450 by John Popham, Treasurer to Henry VI.

In the tower hung the Great Bell
that tolled for prisoners about to be executed in
Newgate Prison. The church's position 'without a city
wall' corresponds to the site on Calvary of
the Holy Sepulchre. The Crusaders
chose to set out from here.

'When I grow rich
Say the bells of Shoreditch'

Rebuilt 1736-40 by George Dance senior.
A fine steeple. In the garden, on the north side of
the churchyard, stand ancient stocks found
amongst lumber in the crypt.

'When will that be
Say the bells of Stepney'

The Mother Church of East London. Late fifteenth
century - mostly rebuilt. A fine interior and
notable Saxon crucifix.

'I'm sure I don't know
Says the great bell at Bow'

Christopher Wren 1680. Previous Bow
Church burnt in Great Fire 1666.
Wren church bombed 1941.
Restored 1956-64.

Many successive churches here.
It became known as St Mary of the
Bows because a Norman arched crypt was
incorporated in a later structure.
Bow Bell tolled the curfew and
defined the Cockney's birthplace,
although Dick Whittington might indeed
have heard it from his turning
point on Highgate Hill.