St Augustine's Church, Ramsgate facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Augustine's Church |
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| Shrine of St Augustine of Canterbury Pugin's church of St Augustine |
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Church with cloister attached
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| OS grid reference | TR3766864329 |
| Location | Ramsgate, Kent |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | http://www.augustine-pugin.org.uk |
| History | |
| Status | Shrine Church; Education, Research, and Visitor Centre |
| Founded | 1846 |
| Founder(s) | Augustus Pugin |
| Dedication | St Augustine of Canterbury and Our Lady of Sorrows |
| Consecrated | 1884 |
| Cult(s) present | St Augustine of Canterbury |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
| Designated | 4 February 1988 |
| Architect(s) | Augustus Pugin |
| Style | Gothic |
| Years built | 1846–52 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Ramsgate and Minster |
| Deanery | Thanet |
| Archdiocese | Southwark |
St Augustine's Church is a Roman Catholic church in Ramsgate, Kent. It is also known as the Shrine of St Augustine of Canterbury. The church was the personal project of Augustus Pugin, a famous architect from the 1800s who also helped design the Houses of Parliament.
Pugin designed and paid for this church himself. It is a key example of his ideas about architecture. He built his home, The Grange, right next door. He started building the church in 1846 and worked on it until he died in 1852. His sons later finished some of his designs. Pugin is buried here in a special tomb he designed for himself and his family.
Contents
History of the Church
A Special Location
In the year 597, a monk named Augustine came to England to spread Christianity. He landed very close to where the church now stands. After he died, his tomb in Canterbury became a holy site, or shrine. But in 1538, this shrine was destroyed on the orders of King Henry VIII.
Hundreds of years later, Augustus Pugin chose this spot in Ramsgate for his new church. He loved the sea and was devoted to St. Augustine. He felt a special connection to the place "where blessed Austin landed."
Pugin's Vision
Pugin bought the land in 1843. First, he built his house, The Grange, and moved in with his family in 1844. Then, he started building the church. He wanted to create a community with a church, a school, and a place for monks to live and work.
The first part he finished was a schoolroom in 1846. This room was used as the first church building. Pugin even started a free school there for local children. The main church building was slowly built and finally got its roof in 1849.
Pugin had a problem with his neighbour, Matthew Habershon. To make his church's main window look its best, Pugin needed to buy a small strip of land from Habershon. Habershon made him pay a lot of money for it. Then, Habershon built a tall building right next to the church, which blocked some of the light from Pugin's window.
After Pugin's Death
Pugin died in 1852 before the church was completely finished. His sons, especially Edward Pugin, continued his work. They completed the cloisters (covered walkways) and some of the small chapels.
In 1856, Benedictine monks were invited to start a monastery here. They used St Augustine's as their abbey church for over 150 years, until they moved in 2011.
On March 1, 2012, which was Pugin's 200th birthday, the church officially became the new shrine of St. Augustine of England. This brought the shrine back, 474 years after the original one was destroyed.
Exploring the Church and its Grounds
The site includes several important parts that were all part of Pugin's plan.
Schoolroom and Library
The schoolroom was the first part of the site to be built. It was used as a temporary church and a free school. In 2017, it was turned into an Education and Visitor Centre.
Above the schoolroom is a library. This room was once the private chapel for the head monk (the abbot). It is now part of a research centre.
Cloisters and Chapels
A cloister is a covered walkway, usually around a garden. They are common in monasteries where monks would walk and pray.
- East Cloister: This was built by Augustus Pugin himself.
- North and West Cloisters: These were finished by Pugin's son, Edward. The North Cloister has a series of artworks showing the Stations of the Cross.
- Digby Chantry Chapel: This small chapel was built in 1859 as a burial place for Pugin's friend, the writer Kenelm Henry Digby. It also holds a relic of an early Christian martyr, St. Benignus.
- St Joseph's Chapel: This was added in 1893.
The Main Church Building
- The Nave: This is the main area of the church where people sit. The word nave comes from the Latin word for ship, because the church was seen as a ship carrying people to God.
- Pugin Chantry Chapel: This chapel is built over the vault where Pugin and his family are buried. A statue of Pugin lies against the wall. A large stained-glass window, called the "Augustine Window," tells the story of St. Augustine's life.
- Lady Chapel: This chapel is dedicated to Mary, the mother of Jesus. It has beautiful stained-glass windows that Pugin showed at the Great Exhibition in 1851.
- Chancel: This is at the front of the church. It's where the main altar is and where Mass is celebrated.
The Shrine of St. Augustine
The original shrine of St. Augustine was in Canterbury. It was a very popular place for people to visit for almost 1,000 years. Kings, queens, and ordinary people came to honour the saint who brought Christianity to the English.
When the shrine was destroyed in 1538, most of St. Augustine's remains were lost. However, a few small pieces of his bones, called relics, had been sent to other places in Europe and survived.
In 2012, a small bone relic of St. Augustine was given to this church. A new shrine was created here, making St Augustine's Church an important site for visitors and worshippers once again.
Why is St. Augustine's So Important?
This church is special because it was designed and paid for by Augustus Pugin. He was able to build it exactly how he wanted, without anyone else telling him what to do. It shows all his ideas about architecture, design, and how a community should be built around a church.
The site includes Pugin's house and a monastery building across the street. Together, they show his dream of a perfect society based on the values of the Middle Ages. Many experts believe the site is so important that it should be a World Heritage Site.
Festivals and Important Dates
The church celebrates special days connected to its history.
- St Augustine Week: This festival happens in late May to celebrate St. Augustine of Canterbury.
- Pugin Week: This festival is held in mid-September to celebrate the life and work of Augustus Pugin.
Grounds and interior
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The cemetery next to the church, seen from The Grange, Ramsgate
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The main altar area, known as the chancel
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The altar in the Pugin Chantry Chapel
See also
