Description:A postcard view of the tower, arcade and chancel of the partly ruined old St. Augustine's Church, Rugeley viewed from Station Road.
The original stone church consisted of a nave and chancel and was built on land known as Puysland Farm. The De Puy family were Stewards to King Stephen around 1150. St Augustine’s became the parish church in the late 12th century. In the 13th century a lady chapel was added and a tower in the 14th century. In the 19th century the church was considered too small for Rugeley’s growing population and the building was in a poor state of repair.
A new St Augustine’s church was built on land opposite and the new church was consecrated by the Bishop of Chester on the 1st January 1823. However, the old church was used for services until the 29th March 1823, the eve of Easter. Shortly after this the nave, north aisle, porch and vestry were blown up by gunpowder leaving only the arcade standing to link the Lady Chapel and Chancel with the tower.
This postcard view was published by John Walker & Co., Ltd. London. It was written on 11 February 1905, franked in Rugeley on 11 February 1905 and sent to an address in Rugeley.