Our History

The Ancient town of Bradstowe

The old name for Broadstairs was Bradstowe, a hamlet in the parish of St Peter’s in Thanet. There was a famous shrine dedicated to Mary, Our Lady of Bradstowe in Albion Street which was destroyed at the Reformation

Our Lady of Bradstowe was venerated by sailors who would lower their topsails in salute as the passed the point. It is recorded that the largest fully-rigged sailing ship , the Presussen, revived this custom in the 1900s.

By 1827 Broadstairs was a growing small town and attracting many summer visitors. Some prominent citizens decided that a proper Church of England place of worship was needed.els. Captain Gooch of Fort Lodge (now Bleak House) donated the site of the church and local architect, David Barnes, drew up the plans for the new Bradstowe Chapel.

The chapel was consecrated by Archbishop William Howley in 1830. In 1866 the incumbent was designated as Rector and various alterations were made..

Charles Dickens, a regular visitor to Broadstairs, worshipped at the church. He was not impressed with the building and described it as “a petrified haystack”.

The growing local population and congregation led to plans to enlarge the church in the early 20th Century. Arthur Michael Durrant, a young architect, prepared ambitious scheme to transform the original building into a wide basilica and work commenced in 1914 . Durrant was killed in the First World War in December 1916. The works were able to recommence in the early 1920s and were dedicated by Archbishop Randall Davidson 1925.

The Lady Chapel has been enclosed with part of the old rood screen and glazed to create a chapel for quiet prayer and smaller services.

On east wall is the striking modern bronze statute of Our Lady of Bradstowe by John Doubleday. It shows Mary as the Queen of Heaven with the moon at her feet (Revelation 12.1). There are two other scenes at her feet. On the left is Angel Gabriel announcing to the young Mary that she is to be the Mother of God’s Son. On the right she is shown holding the body of Jesus after He is taken down from the Cross.

The statue of our Lady of Bradstowe was commissioned by Holy Trinity Church and installed in 1980. Marian shrines are places of the generous hospitality of God and Holy Trinity welcomes pilgrims, seekers and searchers to the Anglican shrine of Our Lady of Bradstow.