Venue Description

This new education, research, and visitor centre, aiming to increase knowledge and accessibility around two themes: the Victorian architect Augustus Pugin, and St Augustine of England, who brought Christianity to southern England for the first time.  A fascinating and dramatic place, St Augustine’s is the personal project of the renowned architect Augustus Pugin, most famous for designing “Big Ben,” and his other work on the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, in the mid nineteenth century. He said that this building was the perfect model of his ‘true principles’ of architecture and called it “my own child.” A leader of the Gothic Revival, St Augustine’s was the only church Pugin built with his own money, and so unencumbered by the demands of patrons. Pugin died in 1852, in his house The Grange next door, and is buried in the church, beneath an effigy designed by his eldest son, Edward. The church is also the shrine of St Augustine of England. Arriving on the shores of Thanet in AD 597 – at Ebbsfleet, very close to Ramsgate – St Augustine had the mission to bring Christianity to the English for the first time. He was successful and his legacy is still with us today throughout art, culture, legal systems, music, and more. The shrine houses a relic of St Augustine’s bone. This is a working Catholic church with services every day, to which all are welcome. Free entry with a suggested £4 donation   Opening Times Open daily 10am - 4pm

Accessibility

There is a small step into Visitor Centre and disabled ramp into the church from the Visitor Centre. There are subtitles for the four films shown on a loop. Main disabled access is through the cemetery to the back of the building where there is a ramp into the church at the South Porch. This gives unrestricted access for the wheelchair user around the main part of the church. The ramp from the Visitor Centre leads to the Stations of the Cross area and the two chantry chapels. Unfortunately, there is a step from the aisle into the church here and this might prove problematic for the wheelchair user. The volunteer staff are well-briefed on these points and are very happy to offer any assistance required.

Awards List

none

Toilets

There are toilets on the site and public toilets nearby. Disabled toilets are awaiting construction

Staff

Information about the staff has not been added for this venue.