George Latham was an architect and surveyor who was born in Nantwich in 1793. His father, John Latham, was a saddler. George was baptised on 25 September 1793. On 07 July 1829 he married Mary Gee, the daughter of Rev. Thomas Gee who was the Wesleyan Methodist minister of Nantwich.
George and Mary had five children, two of which became civil engineers.
His architectural style is often Elizabethan with Jacobean motifs, which George called “Queen Elizabethan”.
Key Works
1827–28 Church of St Mary the Virgin, Wistaston, Cheshire.
In 1827 it was decided to replace the old church in Wistaston, as “due to decay it was unsuitable for public worship”. The new church was built to a design by George Latham.
1829 Willington Hall, Willington, Cheshire.
Willington Hall was an early house for George Latham. The building is now a hotel. It was built in 1829, for Major William Tomkinson, and the style is based on Dorfold Hall – which was the Tomkinson family home.
1832–46 Arley Hall, Arley, Cheshire.
Rowland Egerton initially approached Latham for plans to change Arley Hall in 1826, when Rowland was just 21. None of the original plans were adopted. In 1832 it was decided to demolish and replace the hall based on new plans by Latham. Rowland was no doubt attracted by Latham’s estimated cost of £5-6,000. The building eventually cost £30,000, and work had to be stopped at times due to financial worries.
1836 St Jude’s Church, Tilstone Fearnall, Cheshire.
Admiral John Tollemache commissioned Latham to plan St Jude’s Church in Tilstone Fearnall and the church was completed in 1836.
1837–39 Northwich Union Workhouse
Latham designed this workhouse for 200 people, and the cost was £4,000.
Weaver Hall Museum now occupy the building.
1842–43 Congregational Church, Monks Lane, Nantwich, Cheshire
Nantwich Congregational Church is situated on Monks Lane, very close to the centre of Nantwich (and also St Mary’s Church)! This building was erected in 1842, at a cost of £2,200. There is more information about this building here.
The Savings Bank, Welsh Row, Nantwich
The Savings Bank on Welsh Row cost an estimated £970. Pevsner suggests it looks like the entrance lodge to a country house.
1849 Harris Institute, Avenham Lane, Preston, Lancashire.
This building was built in 1846-9 by John Welch, but Latham added a terraced forecourt in 1849.
1867–68 Market Hall, Market Street, Nantwich, Cheshire:
Above the main entrance of Nantwich Market Hall is a panel containing the coats of arms of local families.
1868 Nantwich Town Hall.
This building is now demolished.
Other projects
In 1832 George Latham also drew plans (which were not used) for St Winifred’s in Davenham. In 1836 he was commissioned to carry out alterations to Crewe Hall, but then was replaced by Edward Blore.
In 1837 he had offices on Barker Street in Nantwich and oversaw the expansion of the Nantwich Workhouse. This building, now known as Bevan House, is currently occupied by the NHS:
This is the site of Nantwich Workhouse. The original building was built in 1780. In 1837 George Latham substantially enlarged it and it became Nantwich Union Workhouse covering a much larger area.
In 1866 George Latham was involved with the building of a culvert to take water away from Welsh Row. This road was formerly known as Frog Row, because of the large population of frogs found there!
In 1869 he drew plans, free of charge, for an engine house for Nantwich Fire Brigade.
George Latham was also approached by John Tollemache, with regard to becoming the architect for Peckforton Castle. He was not appointed, but received £2,000 in compensation.
George Latham died in Nantwich on the 08 August 1871.