BUILDINGS NEWS
edited by James Jago, with contributions from Catriona Blaker, Nick Dermott, Michael Fisher, Peter Howell and Rory O'Donnell
New start for Rampisham Rectory
For the latest on Rampisham Rectory, see the gallery of photographs at
http://gallery.me.com/gthebash#100065
GLAD TIDINGS FOR A.W.N. PUGIN'S ST AUGUSTINES CHURCH, RAMSGATE
We are delighted that restoration work is now about to commence on the church, and also that it has been officially designated a Catholic shrine to St Augustine of England by the Catholic Archbishop of Southwark. How pleased Pugin would have been.This church, arguably the most significant of all Pugin's ecclesiastical buildings, was the one which meant more to him than any other. He designed it exactly as he wished, with no interference from outside parties, and paid for it all out of his own pocket. It was a thank offering to his new-found Catholic faith, and is an embodiment of all his architectural and artistic beliefs and a key symbol of the Gothic and Catholic Revivals of the nineteenth century. Over the last two years or so its future has been uncertain, but now its restoration can go forward with confidence, under the direction of its enthusiastic priest, Father Marcus Holden, and supported by its many admirers. In the words of Pugin's own motto, En Avant (forward)!
To support the church fabric repairs and view a large collection of photographs, see the website of Friends of St Augustines Church at
http://www.augustinefriends.co.uk/Friends_of_St_Augustine/Welcome.html
THE PUGIN GATEHOUSE, OXENFORD
 |
The Landmark Trust has taken over the running and restoration of A.W.N. Pugin's lovely Picturesque yet robust gatehouse, built for Lord Midleton of the adjacent Peper Harow estate in 1842, to which this building was once an entrance. The gatehouse is closely associated with the group of nearby farm buildings designed for Lord Midleton at that time, which show what strong, convincing and functional structures Pugin could produce in this genre. The gatehouse will accommodate up to four people, and will open for guests in the earlier part of 2010, so watch the Landmark Trust website http://www.landmarktrust.org.uk for details, or ring 01628 825925, for what will be a truly Puginesque break, in lovely surroundings.