Shrine of St Augustine & The National Pugin Centre

'Pugin began building this church in 1844, after he moved into his home, The Grange, next door. He wrote, “I have a delightful plan of a flint seaside church and everything gives way to that.” It was to be the model of his "True Principles" of architecture, reviving the gothic designs that he loved and emulated. This is the only church that Pugin designed and paid for himself. That meant that he could carry out his designs as he thought they should be done, rather than having a patron request particular features ... Pugin was one of the most important designers and architects of the nineteenth century. He lived for just 40 years, but people say that in that time he completed 80 years of work.'