 The architectural style selected for the rebuilding was a loose Gothic combining many forms and reinventions of the medieval style . The choice of Gothic was influenced by William and Blanche Gibb 's Anglo @-@ Catholic beliefs as a followers of the Oxford Movement . This wing of the Anglican Church advocated the view set out in the architect Augustus Pugin 's 1836 book Contrasts , which argued for the revival of the medieval Gothic style , and " a return to the faith and the social structures of the Middle Ages " . The Oxford Movement , of which both Pugin and Gibbs were disciples , later took this philosophy a step further and claimed that the Gothic style was the only architecture suitable for Christian worship . Thus it became a symbolic display of Christian beliefs and lifestyle , and was embraced by devout Victorians such as Gibbs . The completion of the mansion 's chapel further accentuated the building 's medieval monastical air so beloved by the Oxford Movement 's devotees . When completed , the ecclesiastical design was reinforced by a dominating square tower with a steeply pitched roof adorned by four tourelles , which was demolished in 1935 . 
