Dear Bernie, Found an article about the church in Bygone Kent Suzannah Bygone Kent Volume 6 Number 29 Page 515 Restitution and Renewal - Some Roman Catholic Churches in Kent Part Two By Martin Tapsell Thanet -. SS Austin and Gregory in Margate built on the Victoria Road site in 1803. Originally a 100 seat oblong hall, this gained an adjacent School in 1863. The original tower and a Lady Chapel came in 1866. The church was given over to the Benedictines in 1887 and the present high tower and new aisle were built. The former presbytery became the sanctuary in 1890 while he priest moved to an adjacent cottage until this was replaced in 1894. Another side aisle was opened in the front of the Scared Heart altar. A Chapel to St Joseph opened in 1897. The new organ put in at the same time was moved to the clerestory at the side, allowing more light through the window at the east end. This move took place in 1935 but the organ wore out in the 1970's and has an electronic successor. Today's stone screen replaced a wooden one in 1935. The original door opened straight out on the busy road, but now opens into a small courtyard sideways to the tower. back in Diocesan care from 1966, the parish was then losing population in redevelopment. The former Sacred Heart Chapel immediately inside was converted into a hall, with the sacristy at the far end. A Frosted glass partition separates it from the main church. Once again, in 2005, an ambitious programme of renovation is ongoing, larger items being new heating (£22,000) and woodworm treatment (£10,320) and much else besides. Brown's, Organ builders, took away the disused organ and there has been a striking lighting project to highlight focal points like the St Joseph Altar, as recommended by a light consultant. ----- Original Message ----- From: Bernie Tuffs To: ISLE-OF-THANET@rootsweb.com Sent: Saturday, October 14, 2006 8:25 PM Subject: [SPAM] [ISLE-OF-THANET] searching for info... Hi! I'm searching for information about our Church - SS. Austin & Gregory R.C. Church, Victoria Road Margate. It is over 200 years old and has apparently never been Consecrated. The Archbishop is coming on 4th November to do this, and I have been charged with the task of making a photographic (with some written info!) history of the Church. There was once a school on the land next to the Church...St. Austins??? If anyone is able to give me any info for any period, or share photos, or just point me in the right direction to find this, I would be very grateful - I've googled for hours and found nothing so far! Thanks in advance! Bernadette R M Tuffs brmt@supanet.com