Campaign to save much-loved mural in former Oldham church receives European backing

Holy Rosary Church on Fir Tree Avenue is known for having a mural created in 1955 by Hungarian artist George Mayer-Marton, which has been praised as a "dazzling beauty".

But there are fears that the 7.5m mural, which is made up from mosaic and painted fresco and depicts the figure of Christ in golds and tans against a dark blue cross and gold mandorla, is at risk from vandalism and detorioration.

National heritage and arts organisations, including SAVE Britain's Heritage, are concerned for its future.

An application calling for the mural to be listed, which was submitted in August 2020 by Nick Braithwaite, the artist’s great-nephew, is still being considered by Historic England.

The mural as it is today, with its outer sections painted over (Picture: Tribute)

George Mayer-Marton at work in his studio in Vienna (Picture: Estate of G Mayer-Marton)

Holy Rosary Church in Oldham (Picture: Google Maps)

After receiving plenty of national support, including from director of the Victoria and Albert Museum, Tristram Hunt, who described the mural as a “dazzling beauty”, the bid to protect the mural has been given strong backing from the continent.

General director of the Museum of Fine Arts, Hungarian National Gallery, László Baán, said: “Among Mayer-Marton’s mosaics and other wall paintings are the Crucifixion of the Holy Rosary Church in Oldham with its extraordinary technique – the combination of a Byzantine-like mosaic and a fresco – with a high art historical value.

"We believe this composition gives its audience an unforgettable memory of religious emotions.

"It is our responsibility to preserve and transmit artistic treasures for the next generations, as in the case of this mural too.”

George Mayer-Marton's mural 'The Crucifixion' as originally installed (Picture: Estate of G Mayer-Marton)

Interior of the Church and the mural above the high altar (Picture: Modern Moocher)

Chief curator of the Belvedere in Vienna, Harald Krejci, has also expressed his support.

He said: “The muralist Georg Mayer-Marton is one of the most important personalities on the Viennese art scene in the first half of the 20th century.

"As a full member and later vice president of the Hagenbund, he set important accents within the Viennese art landscape.

"In particular, his public commissions in England after his escape from Austria in 1938 are extremely important evidence of the cultural transfer between Hungary, Austria and England.

"Mayer-Marton's testimonies are not only essential for the classification and understanding of post-war art, but also important from a socio-historical perspective.

"This mural of Mayer-Marton shows at its best the cultural heritage of Viennese Art of the Klimt era and the Secession and their reflections on byzantine art and mosaic.

"Combined with the heritage of Viennese kinetic art and his knowledge of British Vorticism this mural is unique and outstanding and therefore needs to be preserved.”

Director of SAVE Britain’s Heritage, Henrietta Billings, added: “It’s fantastic and significant that so many leading authorities on public art from the UK and Europe are publicly backing the campaign.

"The mural remains vulnerable and the listing application is urgent.

"We urge Historic England to take notice and protect this unique piece through listing.

"We believe the church – which is generous in size and well built – should be reused rather than demolished, with the restored mural a focal point for the community.”

Executive president of SAVE Britain’s Heritage, Marcus Binney, said: “When the overpainting is removed this will be a rediscovery as exciting as a medieval church fresco revealed beneath overpainting at the Reformation.”

A spokesperson for The Diocese of Salford, which owns the church, said: "Since the closure of Holy Rosary Church we have been working hard to respect the mosaic and its heritage.

"We are currently in ongoing conversations about the usage of the building, central to these talks are the ability to conserve and protect this important piece of work."