Christopher Kempster
English stonemason and architect
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Christopher Kempster (1627–1715[1]) was an English master stonemason and architect who trained with Sir Christopher Wren, working on St Paul's Cathedral.[2]
Christopher Kempster | |
|---|---|
Memorial at the Church of St John the Baptist, Burford | |
| Born | 27 March 1627 Burford, Oxfordshire, England |
| Died | 12 August 1715 (aged 88) Burford, Oxfordshire, England |
| Burial place | Burford, Oxfordshire, England |
| Occupations | Stonemason; architect |
| Notable work | St Paul's Cathedral |
| Spouse | Joane (c.1646) |
| Children | William Kempster |
| Parents |
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Biography
Kempster was from Burford in Oxfordshire, England. He sold Cotswold stone from his quarry at Upton, near Burford, to rebuild London after the Great Fire of London in 1666.[3] He was also Christopher Wren's master mason during the rebuilding of St Paul's Cathedral in London. His County Hall, built 1678–1682 in Abingdon, is now the Abingdon County Hall Museum.[4] The Kempster family quarry supplied stone for Blenheim Palace, Oxford colleges, and Windsor Castle.
His buildings, many with Sir Christopher Wren, include:
- Abingdon County Hall[5][6]
- St James Garlickhythe, City of London (Kempster also made the font)
- St Mary Abchurch, City of London
- St Mary's Church, North Leigh[7]
- St Stephen Walbrook, City of London
- Tom Tower, Christ Church, Oxford[8]
John Perrott, Lord of the Manor, engaged Kempster to refit St Mary's Church, North Leigh, and to build a burial chapel for the Perrott family to the north of the north aisle.[7] Kempster linked the Perrott chapel and the north aisle by an arcade of Tuscan columns.[9]
St John the Baptist's Church in Burford has a memorial to Christopher Kempster.[3][10]