Westgate on Sea was an upmarket, planned resort, of the second half of the nineteenth century. Many of its buildings were designed by Charles Nightingale Beazley (see also Acol and Birchington) including both churches. The first church here was St James (see separate entry) and St Saviour’s was the second church built in 1883. It has seen little change since and is a fantastic late Victorian period piece. Both Westgate churches designed by Beazley have their entrances through tower-bases and here the tower is barely joined to the nave! The huge interior, part of which has been made over to a fascinating Heritage Centre, gives a through view to the altar. This was not intended as originally there was a tall chancel screen, but the reredos – a memorial to the first Vicar (brother of the famous Fr Ignatius) – could not be properly appreciated so the screen was reduced in size. Some south aisle windows are by Powell’s but the finest glass is by C E Kempe and Co added over the decade after the completion of the building. What a wonderful church this is!
