St James Duke's Place, Anglican church building in Aldgate, City of London, England.
St James Duke's Place was a brick church in Aldgate with a length of 65 feet (20 meters) and width of 42 feet (13 meters), with wooden columns supporting the interior divisions. The structure provided a functional space for services and ceremonies throughout its existence.
The church was built in 1622 using materials from the dissolved Holy Trinity Priory at Aldgate and operated until 1874. The parish was later merged with St Katherine Cree, bringing an end to its independent function.
The church became known for performing marriages without reading banns, attracting couples from across London who wanted quick ceremonies between 1644 and 1691. This practice made it a popular destination for weddings and drew people seeking alternatives to traditional church procedures.
The former church site is now occupied by Sir John Cass's Primary School, which stands on the location of the original building. Visitors interested in church history can learn about the site through local historical records and nearby landmarks.
The church maintained independence from the Bishop of London since its patronage belonged to the Lord Mayor of London. This unusual arrangement gave it a distinct status among other London parishes of that period.
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