St. Olave's Workhouse

Metropolitan Borough of Bermondsey

History of St Olave's Union Workhouse

The history of St Olave's Workhouse begins in 1725 when the parish of St Olave established a 'poor house' or 'house of industry' in Salisbury Street (now Wilson Grove) in Bermondsey. This early institution was later replaced by a new purpose-built workhouse on the south side of Russell Street, on the site of what is now Tanner Street Park, following a decision in 1791.

The workhouse was rebuilt in 1831 and became part of the newly formed St Olave's Poor Law Union on 25 March 1836, which was overseen by an elected Board of Guardians representing three parishes: St John Horsleydown, St Olave's, and St Thomas. The site, located on Deptford Lower Road (renamed Lower Road in 1888), was marked as a workhouse on Horwood's map of 1799 and was administered by Rotherhithe parish until 1836, then by the St Mary Rotherhithe Board of Guardians until 1869, when it became part of the St Olave's Union.

In 1869–1870, the accommodation was rearranged, and the workhouse was designated for able-bodied males. By 1889, it was described as "dilapidated and disused". The site later became the Rotherhithe Infirmary in the early 1870s, which was renamed St Olave's Hospital in 1930 after being transferred to the London County Council.

The hospital continued in operation as a residential institution for the elderly after 1930.

Location

The Workhouse site was the corner of Parish Street and Crucifix Lane (now Druid Street), Bermondsey. In 1733, St Olave's was divided into two and the area containing the workhouse fell in the new parish of St John Horsleydown. Its location is shown on a 1790's map.

Sources

https://www.workhouses.org.uk/StOlave/

https://workhouses.org.uk/

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