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I have included this page on the web site because although the Abbey was built by A. W. N. Pugin's son Edward, he was obviously inspired by his father's work. The Abbey is an integral part of this corner of Ramsgate.
It is generally understood that Pugin wanted a religious community to be across the road from his house and the church. He purchased the land on which to build in 1849, and envisaged an archway over the road to link the two, a drawing of his confirms this. | 
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| The foundation stone for the monastery was laid on March 21st 1860, eight years after Pugin's death. Edward has clearly built something that blends in with his father's buildings across the road. However the sturdy weatherboards and unusual brick voussoirs around the lancet windows are purely Edward. In 1861 he built St. Gregory's a Gothic, double fronted, domestic house in the grounds for Alfred Luck. On Alfred's death in 1864 this house became the base from which St Augustine's College was founded. | 
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| Peter Paul Pugin added the east wing to the monastery in 1901, and the library was built in 1926 designed by Charles Purcell who was Pugin's grandson. When all is said and done the monastery as it was then and the abbey (it was made an abbey in 1896), as it is now, is a home. A home for the monks who live and work in it as we do in our homes. Thanks must go to them for allowing us to come in from time to time and enjoy the surroundings, it must be a difficult task caring for such a prestigious building. |