Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Allen, James Mountford
ALLEN, JAMES MOUNTFORD (1809–1883), architect, was son of the Rev. John Allen, vicar of Bleddington, Gloucestershire, formerly master of Crewkerne Grammar School, Somersetshire. He was born at Crewkerne 14 Aug. 1809. After studying architecture for five years at Exeter under Mr. Cornish, he came to London at the age of 21, worked for some time in Mr. Fowler's office, and settled down into general practice till he was 47, when he returned to Crewkerne, where he carried on an extensive practice as a church architect till his death in 1883. A considerable number of churches, rectory-houses, and schools, either new or restored, passed through his hands, in addition to gentlemen's residences. The little church at Cricket Malherbie, near Ilminster, is much admired, and the reredos at Chardstock is well known and has been reproduced in other churches in the neighbourhood.
[Builder, xliv. 863.]