Churche's Mansion

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© Chris Challis Photography

Brief history of ownership and occupation

The mansion was built in 1577 by Thomas Cleese for Richard Church a wealthy merchant, father of Randolf Churche. The last of the Churche family to reside at the Mansion was Mr Sabboth Churche , who lived there in 1691. In 1792, Mr John Latham occupied the house and, for many years in the early part of the Nineteenth Century it was tenanted by Mr Berks, a tanner, who was succeeded by Mr James Latham. From 1848 to 1858 it was the residence of Mr T W Jones, attorney at law, and in 1869 it became a ladies boarding school.

The Mansion was used as a restaurant, under several different ownerships, for most of the Twentieth Century.

Grade I Listing

An important Sixteenth Century house which escaped the Great Fire of 1583.

A large timber framed black & white building: 2 storey's plus attic: 4 gables to the front; projecting wing at the left (2 gables) over hangs on the 1st, 2nd floors with coved plaster under hangs enriched with gilded corbel brackets at eaves with carved human faces, animals etc.

Windows framed in oak casements mullioned, and transomed with restored leaded lights having some tinted glass; some casements, probably C18.

Porched entrance with square headed heavily moulded door case and with C18 door; large end and lateral brick stacks; restored bargeboards; old tiled roof.

Interior; Left hand wing has good exposed ceiling beams and timber framing; the upper room at the rear with some contemporary panelling with fine carved over mantle in room to the right of hall. In recent years the house has been well restored.

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With special thanks to Adams Antiques who very kindly offered this text. Visit their web site at www.adams-antiques.net