The Shrine of St. Augustine & National Pugin Centre

This is the home of the Gothic Revival, as the personal church of the man who built the Houses of Parliament – Augustus Pugin.
Pugin began building this church in 1844, after he moved into his home, The Grange, next door. He wrote, “I have a delightful plan of a flint seaside church and everything gives way to that.” It was to be the model of his ‘True Principles’ of architecture, reviving the gothic designs that he loved and emulated. This is the only church that Pugin designed and paid for himself. That meant that he could carry out his designs as he thought they should be done, rather than having a patron request particular features.
The Shrine and National Pugin Centre
On 1st March 2012, St Augustine’s became the official Shrine of St Augustine of England. This marked the end of 474 years without a shrine to St Augustine in Kent, after his original shrine-tomb was destroyed during the Reformation. Now thousands of pilgrims come each year to venerate St Augustine here at his shrine. The year 2012 marked the bicentenary of the birth of Augustus Pugin. Interest has been growing in Pugin and his legacy, and since 2014 St Augustine’s has been open every day for visitors. In 2015 the Heritage Lottery Fund granted money to create an Education, Research, and Visitor Centre in Pugin’s buildings on the site.

Timings

Friday 11 September:

1000-1700

Saturday 12 September:

1000-1600

Sunday 13 September:

1000-1600

Monday 14 September:

1000-1600

Tuesday 15 September:

1000-1600

Wednesday 16 September:

1000-1600

Thursday 17 September:

1000-1600

Friday 18 September:

1000-1600

Saturday 19 September:

1000-1600

Sunday 20 September:

1000-1600

Location & directions

St. Augustines RC Church, St. Augustines Road, Ramsgate, Kent, CT11 9NY

Contact on day:

Melissa Goes

Telephone number:

+441843592071

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

No parking on site but free street parking is available on Royal Esplanade which is a few minutes walk away. Only Assistance animals permitted inside the building.

Additional information

There will be a talk on the 11th September at 5pm titled Unbuilt Pugin given by Dr Peter Lindfield (Architectural Historian, Cardiff University and Pugin Society) Many of Pugin's designs remain fixed to the page. They are the dreams of one of Britain's most prodigious Gothicists, curtailed by reality. Based upon a close look at some of his many unpublished manuscript designs for houses, churches, and furniture, this talk will take us into the creative mind of Pugin and his love of the medieval.

Max number of people:

25

Estimated duration:

1 hour(s) 0 minute(s)

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