The Building

The Space, formerly St Paul’s church, was built by a Presbyterian mission, that had formed in the area around 1856. The site was acquired from the Earl of Strafford in 1859 and the church constructed to the design of T.E. Knightley. The foundation stone was laid by John Scott Russell, the Scottish builder of the “Great Eastern” ship, who ran the nearby shipyard at Burrells Wharf. The church was built by J.& F.J. Woods of Mile End for a cost of £750, excluding the cost of extra foundations.

In 1866 attendances had fallen to 6, but possibly due to the effects of a depression, there were more than 100 worshippers by the following year. This resulted in the construction of a gallery at the west end. In 1906 a nondescript two storey addition was added to the rear to provide space for a vestry, classrooms, and a kitchen. The extension was designed by T Phillips Figgis and built by the Limehouse firm of Harris and Wardop.

Following the closure of the London Docks large parts of the Isle of Dogs went into a phase of decline. St Paul’s ceased being used as a church in 1972 and the congregation moved to a new church at Island House, Castalia Square. The building was then used by the owners of the adjacent site for testing crane components. A large window in the south elevation was removed and the two large doors that are seen today inserted.

In 1989 a locally based group of individuals created the St Paul’s Arts Trust with a view to taking responsibility for the building, restoring it and creating a venue for the arts.

The success of the Trust has owed a lot to the knowledge and energy of its Project Director, Robert Richardson, who had significant experience of projects of this nature and has seen the scheme through from start to finish. A first phase of underpinning and emergency works was completed in 1993. Work on the restoration and conversion began in 1994 to the designs of architects Claxton ‘Auvergne Collings of Fulham. Significant grant funding was given by the London Docklands Development Corporation, English Heritage, the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, the Heritage of London Trust, the Pilgrim Trust, Esmee Fairbairn Charitable Trust and the National Lottery, via the Arts Council of England.

The Space opened in 1996 and has been providing creative opportunities for local residents and support for a wide range of artists ever since.

Click to download an Architectural Appreciation of the Space, written by Steve Pilcher.

The Management

The Space was managed by Robert Richardson for the first four years. Robert had very wide ranging interests, from classical and jazz music to being a keen supporter of Nottingham Forest and a proficient cross country skier. Robert went on to become part of the team that embarked on the £15m project to transform the derelict Roundhouse building in Camden into the lively and thriving art centre it has now become.

When Robert left in 2000, he handed the reins to Polly Schomberg, who had been working at the Space as Centre Administrator. Polly continued the themes of music and theatrical performance but made comedy nights her specialty. Polly drew in a range of talent from those starting out to some well-known acts such as Al Murray and Harry Hill. Polly oversaw the 5th anniversary of the Space before heading off to a new journey in Australia and eventually becoming Visitor Experience Consultant at The National Trust.

An inspired arts programmer and skilled fundraiser, Ali Forbes was Director of the Space from 2001-2005. Ali brought a new energy to the Space with band nights and cabaret events proving very popular with the local audience on the Isle of Dogs. Ali had a great eye for talent and gave many new theatre companies opportunities to perform. One such company, Les Enfants Terribles led by Oliver Lansley, have gone on to receive critical acclaim, been nominated for and won industry awards and now are making awards themselves as they aim to support other new companies starting out. Ali brought big names such as Steven Berkoff and Linda Marlowe to the Space.

Adam Hemming, our former Centre Director joined in 2004 as Centre Administrator before stepping up to the Director role. Adam’s background as a theatre director led to the formation of Space Productions and the venue’s focus on theatre above music, comedy and dance. Adam created the SpaceWorks participatory theatre programme, oversaw the 10th, 15th and 20th anniversaries of the Space and has been largely responsible for the development and growth of the organisation over the last 10+ years, including the bringing The Space Bar & Kitchen in-house to make the building one whole. Leaving in 2024 after almost 20 years of leadership, Adam leaves behind an incredible legacy of community engagement and growth, support and opportunities for new artists and the foundation of our digital theatre programme during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Matthew Jameson, Interim Director as of June 2024, joined the Space as Deputy Director in 2019, having arrived at the Space as a visiting artist in 2017. Working with Bethany Sharp, Interim Deputy Director, and the Space’s board of trustees they are involved in a restructure of the Space’s management and taking the organisation into an exciting new chapter.