News
Benjamin Ferrey – Forgotten Giant of Architecture
On 13th Septenber Probus Club of Sarum was delighted to welcome Dr Francis Burroughes,teacher, organist, church warden and connoisseur of Ferrey’s work.
Ferrey was born in Christchurch, Dorset, England. He studied at Christ's Hospital and later apprenticed under the renowned architect Augustus Pugin, a driving force in the Gothic Revival movement. Dr. Burroughes’ lecture concentrated largely on Ferrey’s prolific work throughout Wessex.
In 1834, Ferrey began his architectural
practice in London. He quickly made a name for himself by focusing
on the restoration and construction of churches, a popular
architectural endeavour in the 19th century, in line with the
Ecclesiological Movement that sought to revive medieval Gothic
church designs. Ferrey's work was often characterized by a deep
appreciation for historical styles, particularly the Gothic.
Ferrey's portfolio includes many important
ecclesiastical and secular buildings:
1. Church Restorations: He was
known for restoring numerous medieval churches, most notably the
restoration of Wells Cathedral in Somerset, a project that
highlighted his skill in handling complex historical structures with
sensitivity and precision. A total of more than 480 churches
are known to have been built or restored by Ferrey
2. All Saints' Church,
Windsor: One of his significant new church projects, this
building showcases Ferrey's mastery of Gothic design elements, such
as pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and decorative stonework.
3. Secular Architecture: Ferrey
has also designed and/or restored many secular buildings, including
manor houses and public structures, with a Gothic Revival approach.
Examples are the Market Cross at Glastonbury,
Tyntesfield, designed with one of his pupils, Bagshot Park in
Berkshire, Dorchester Corn Exchange etc. In fact, he designed so
many buildings in Dorchester that it has been referred to as “Ferrey
Town”. He was also commissioned with the original layout of
Bournemouth.
Professional Recognition:
Ferrey was a founding member of the Royal
Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and contributed to the
architectural discourse of his time. His dedication to the Gothic
Revival movement and ecclesiastical architecture earned him
significant recognition in architectural circles. He maintained an
architectural practice for nearly five decades, during which he
influenced the spread of the Gothic style across England.
Personal Life and
Legacy
Ferrey was known to have a close professional
and personal relationship with the Pugin family, particularly
Augustus Pugin, who significantly influenced his early career.
Ferrey died in 1880, leaving behind a body of work that continued to
inspire architects of subsequent generations.
His contributions to the field of architecture
are documented in various architectural journals of his time and
through his involvement with RIBA.
During the subsequent discussion Dr.
Burroughes pointed out that Ferrey
practiced at a time when architects had to do “the whole job” from
finding and acquiring the sites to procuring the right material, no
clerks of work, no surveyors or structural engineers. This must have
resulted in an unbelievable workload much of it accomplished during
train journeys crisscrossing the country.
Here are some meetings held by the Club over the past few years
