Site

The ground to the west of All Saints church Poplar, between the rectory and East India Dock Road was consecrated for burials and was said to have been used for the interment of paupers and cholera victims amongst foreign sailors. It was closed for burials in 1859 and this monument was raised to commemorate that event. A shrubbery was created around the monument in 1874 and the area was later adapted as a playground. In 1906 it became a public garden. See our page for the church for more information and our sources.

 In 2010 the remains were removed from the graves so that Newby Place Health and Wellbeing Centre could be developed. This building is in the modern bland brick and glass style.

We were surprised to discover that a building had been on the Newby Place Centre site before 2010. Google Street View 2008 shows the Newby Place Centre building on site, similar in shape and footprint to what is there today but generally only 2 stories not the current 3.

Janka and Tony Mobbs (link dead, 2024) were the architects for this new build and their brief included: "The building is in a prime position in the All Saints conservation area and was required to reflect the style of the adjacent Georgian rectory." Newby Place Centre was opened in 1996. Three questions: how come the grave remains were not removed before the 1996 construction took place? Why was it felt necessary to demolish that brand new health centre just 14 years after it was built? What caused the change in the brief regarding the style of architecture?

Our photo shows the obelisk from the north.