St Matthias Old Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Matthias Old Church |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Location | Poplar High Street, Poplar, London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Robert Shirley William Milford Teulon |
St Matthias Old Church is an old church building in Poplar, London. It was first built in 1654 by the East India Company. Back then, it was known as Poplar Chapel. Today, it is a special building. It is listed as a Grade II* listed building. This means it is very important and protected.
This church is one of the few churches built during the time of the Commonwealth of England. This was a period when England was not ruled by a king or queen. It was a republic, from 1649 to 1660.
Contents
The Church's Early Days
Why the Church Was Built
In 1627, the East India Company bought a house in Poplar. They wanted to use it as a hospital for sailors who were injured or sick. The Company had a shipyard nearby in Blackwall. So, Poplar was a good place for their hospital.
In 1633, people living in Poplar and Blackwall asked for a chapel. Most of them worked for the East India Company. Their old church, St Dunstan's, Stepney, was too far away.
Getting Started with Building
A man named Gilbert Dethick, who owned land in Poplar, died in 1639. He left £100 to help build the chapel. He said the work had to start within three years.
Building began around the time the English Civil War started. This was a big fight between the King and Parliament. Work on the church slowed down. But with more money from Sir John Gayer, a director of the East India Company, building really began in 1652. The main builder was John Tanner, a master bricklayer. The church was finished in 1654. A burial ground was added in 1657.
What the Church Looks Like
Design and Features
St Matthias is made of brick with stone decorations on the corners. It mixes old styles with newer ones. Inside, the roof is shaped like a barrel. It is held up by eight large columns. Seven are made of oak wood, and one is stone. Some people thought they were made from ship masts, but there is no proof. The design has a Dutch feel, like churches built in Amsterdam long ago.
Changes Over Time
Over the years, the church changed. A tower was added in 1718. A special pulpit, where the preacher stands, was added in 1733. The windows were repaired and changed in 1775-1776. Later, a beautiful stone monument was made for George Steevens. This monument is now on loan to a museum in Cambridge.
How the Church Was Used
A Place for Sailors and Residents
For many years, the Poplar Chapel was a place for prayers. Sailors and passengers would pray there before starting dangerous sea voyages. Many early settlers going to British North America would have attended these services. It was also the chapel for nearby almshouses. These were homes for retired sailors from the East India Company.
Between 1841 and 1844, eight Asian sailors were buried in the churchyard.
Becoming a Parish Church
After the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the East India Company closed down. Poplar Chapel then became a regular Church of England parish church. It was renamed St Matthias. Its first vicar (a type of priest) was John Fenwick Kitto.
From 1867 to 1876, many big changes were made to the church. A new pulpit, a font (for baptisms), and an organ were put in. The outside of the building was covered in stone. A chancel (the area around the altar) and a vestry (a room for clergy) were added. In 1920, beautiful stained glass windows were put in. They were a memorial to people who died in the First World War.
During the Second World War, Poplar was heavily bombed. But St Matthias survived. Only small pieces of metal from bombs were found in its walls.
Later Years and New Purpose
In the 1970s, St Matthias church joined with St Anne's, Limehouse. Even though St Matthias had many people attending, the building was closed in 1977. It was no longer used as a church.
After being empty for several years, a big restoration project started in 1990. The plan was to turn it into an "Arts Centre." In 1992, the St Matthias Conservation Trust was formed. This group works to keep the building safe and use it as a community center for everyone.
People Buried at St Matthias
Many notable people are buried in the churchyard of St Matthias:
- Robert Ainsworth (died 1743)
- Mary East (died 1780)
- John Perry (died 1810)
- John Stock (died 1842)
- George Green (died 1849)
