St Laurence
Ramsgate, Kent
Queen Victoria worshipped in the church as a child when on holiday, the east window is a memorial to her and the clock was installed to commemorate her Diamond Jubilee.
He built his house, the Grange, next door, and he is buried here, in a vault he designed himself.
Pugin died in 1852 before completing the project but building continued until 1893, with his sons continuing to work on the project. The tower and spire were never completed.
The exterior is stone, covered in flint to withstand the weather. Its interior is also lined with Whitby stone, linking with the abbey there.
There is exquisite decoration with stone and wood carvings throughout, unique statues, stained glass and ornate tiles. Tiles are by the renowned ceramicist Herbert Minton.
From 1856 until 2010 the church was run by the Benedictine monks of St Augustine’s Abbey. Now, it is a parish church, an official shrine of St Augustine, a place of pilgrimage.