Abstract

How did Pembroke come to have two chapels? Matthew Wren, uncle of the architect, gave the new one, but why? There is a traditional belief that Pembroke chapel was designed by Christopher Wren and was his first building, but what is the evidence? Documentation relating to the chapel is sparse. However, other clues exist and allow the chapel’s building history to be (almost) worked out. This talk will be about the architect(s), the development and sources of the design, and the craftsmen who worked on the building. The grotesques will probably be new to you.

Dr Grimstone is a life fellow of the College. Until retirement he was a cell biologist, working in the Zoology Department. He has long-standing interests in architecture and the College’s buildings. In 1998 he curated an exhibition on Pembroke chapel, which made him realise how little was known about the building and led to the research he will be talking about.