MOUNTFORT, BENJAMIN WOOLFIELD (1824-98) was trained as an architect under Gilbert Scott. He came to Canterbury in one of the first four ships, and spent his whole life there. For many years he practised his profession in partnership with Luck. He took an interest in Christchurch Cathedral, and after the departure of R. Speechley (the representative of Sir Gilbert Scott) he became the Cathedral architect and designed all subsequent work on the edifice. He designed other churches in Canterbury, as well as the cathedrals at Auckland and Napier and British North Borneo, the Canterbury Provincial chambers and the hall of Canterbury College.

In his early days in Canterbury (1856-57) he owned a photographic studio in Colombo Street, and taught Dr Barker the art. Mountfort was a strong churchman, a member of the diocesan synod and for many years a churchwarden at the church of the Good Shepherd. He died on 15 March 1898.

Canterbury P.C. Proc.; Cant. O.N.; G. M. McKenzie (p); Wigram; Hight and Candy (p); C. R. H. Taylor, The Canterbury Provincial Buildings; Lyttelton Times, 17 Mar 1898.

Reference: Volume 2, page 56

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