St. Matthew's Churchyard
Photo added by Paula O

St. Matthew's Churchyard

Bethnal Green, London Borough of Tower Hamlets, Greater London, England

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St Matthew's Parish was established in 1743, serving the growing population of Bethnal Green. Burials at the church took place in two locations – the large churchyard surrounding the church on all sides and in the crypt. Burials continued until 1877. During the war the church was extensively damaged by bombing. The roof and floor collapsed into the crypt and all was cleared during the restoration of the church (reconsecrated in 1961). However, a small crypt was rebuilt and some recent burials have since taken place in it. The churchyard has been cleared over time to create a park with lawns and trees. There are only two grave monuments left in the churchyard, one of the Huguenot family of Peter Renvoize and one to Joseph Merceron, an infamous 19th century Churchwarden.

 

There is a map of the graveyard, along with a register of legible tomb inscriptions from 1896. Both are kept in the London Metropolitan Archives.

 

At the southwest corner of the churchyard is a small house – the Watch House (1754). It was built to house the local Watch – to look over the churchyard at night in case "resurrectionists" would come to steal bodies to sell for medical dissection.

 

On the north side of the churchyard is the former St Mathew's School. Due to the crypt of the church becoming full, it was decided to use the basement of the school as catacombs. There were 17 brick-lined rooms, each with space for about 20 coffins. A visitor in 1848 counted 98 coffins there. The report concluded that it state of the place was one of the worst he encountered across London! However, it soon closed in 1853. Today the buildings are privately owned flats.

St Matthew's Parish was established in 1743, serving the growing population of Bethnal Green. Burials at the church took place in two locations – the large churchyard surrounding the church on all sides and in the crypt. Burials continued until 1877. During the war the church was extensively damaged by bombing. The roof and floor collapsed into the crypt and all was cleared during the restoration of the church (reconsecrated in 1961). However, a small crypt was rebuilt and some recent burials have since taken place in it. The churchyard has been cleared over time to create a park with lawns and trees. There are only two grave monuments left in the churchyard, one of the Huguenot family of Peter Renvoize and one to Joseph Merceron, an infamous 19th century Churchwarden.

 

There is a map of the graveyard, along with a register of legible tomb inscriptions from 1896. Both are kept in the London Metropolitan Archives.

 

At the southwest corner of the churchyard is a small house – the Watch House (1754). It was built to house the local Watch – to look over the churchyard at night in case "resurrectionists" would come to steal bodies to sell for medical dissection.

 

On the north side of the churchyard is the former St Mathew's School. Due to the crypt of the church becoming full, it was decided to use the basement of the school as catacombs. There were 17 brick-lined rooms, each with space for about 20 coffins. A visitor in 1848 counted 98 coffins there. The report concluded that it state of the place was one of the worst he encountered across London! However, it soon closed in 1853. Today the buildings are privately owned flats.

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  • Added: 12 Aug 2011
  • Find a Grave Cemetery ID: 2414015