Usage
For many years the Chapel was used for prayers before mariners and passengers departed on perhaps a dangerous voyage. Many early migrants to North America would have participated in these services before leaving for an uncertain future abroad. It was also the chapel of the Poplar Pensioners who lived in adjacent almshouses. They were all former seamen who had worked for the EIC. Officers had premises up by the East India Dock Road, whereas the other ranks were located on Poplar High Street. Between 1841 and 1844 eight'Asiatic sailors were buried in the churchyard.
Following the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the EIC was wound up and Poplar Chapel became St Matthias, an Anglican Parish Church. William Milford Teulon carried out substantial changes from 1867 to 1876: a modern pulpit, font and organ were installed, the building was clad in Kentish ragstone and a chancel, vestry and organ chamber were installed. Stained glass windows incorporating masonic imagery were installed in 1920 by East London lodges as a memorial to their brethren who had died in the First World War.
Poplar was heavily bombed during the Second World War, but St Matthias survived with only shards of shrapnel buried in some of the walls. However in the 1970s dwindling congregations led to a mergers and the church was declared redundant in 1977 and deconsecrated by the Church of England. After several years of dereliction English Heritage and the London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC)agreed to major restoration in 1990, with the agreed use being as an "Arts Centre". As the LDDC did not have the funding to match English Heritage, LDDC decided that its contribution should be part of the necessary 'Planning Gain' required for the West India Quay 7-acre (28,000 m2) site, which they were in the process of selling. The UK agent's of the overseas purchaser, Cheval, refused to accept the 'Arts Centre' and demanded local involvement in determining future use as well as the establishment of a "sinking fund" to maintain St. Matthias in perpetuity. In 1992 the St Matthias Conservation trust was set up to preserve the building and provide use as a community centre.
The church is designated a Grade II* listed building.
Read more about this topic: St Matthias Old Church
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