Canterbury in Kent, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
Reuse and Rediscovery
St Augustine's Abbey
Photographed by Ray Gurganus, March 29, 2025
1. Reuse and Rediscovery Marker
Beresford Hope bought the site in 1844 and agreed to build a missionary college here, a place where churchmen were taught to spread Christianity in Britain's colonies. The architect William Butterfield was commissioned to rebuild a number of the structures in the outer court of the medieval abbey. By 1848, the college was complete.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, archaeological investigations led by wardens and bursars of the college revealed the buried remains of the abbey. One of the most exciting discoveries came in 1921 when the site of Augustine's original church was found.
These archaeological investigations have enabled us to understand much of the site's history over 1,400 years and its central role to a great turning point in the country's history: the conversion of the English people to Christianity.
Erected by English Heritage. (Marker Number 14.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1844.
Location. 51°
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Greater South East. Globally, it is in the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe, in Atlantic Europe, on one of the British Isles, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Abandonment and Ruin (a few steps from this marker); The End of the Abbey (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas Fyndon (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to St Augustine's Abbey (within shouting distance of this marker); St Augustine of Canterbury (within shouting distance of this marker); The Crypt (within shouting distance of this marker); Wulfric's Rotunda (within shouting distance of this marker); St Augustine and his mission (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Canterbury.
Photographed by Ray Gurganus, March 29, 2025
2. Hope's missionary college, now part of the King's School
Credits. This page was last revised on May 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 20, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 91 times since then and 4 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 20, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
