Re-scheduled: George Mayer-Marton’s ‘Oldham Mural’ in Context Tour

The Oldham Mural (1955) before its partial overpainting [Credit: Estate George Mayer-Marton]

Re-scheduled date: SAVE Britain’s Heritage and Twentieth Century Society and George Mayer-Marton’s ‘Oldham Mural’ in Context Tour.

Saturday 1st October 2022 - 10.30-16.45 (approx) 

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A tour led by Howard Smith with experts Dr Judith LeGrove and Henrietta Billings, to see the 1955 ‘Oldham Mural’, at the Church of the Holy Rosary, Oldham.  We will also visit two further churches on post-war estates in Greater Manchester to reveal unexpected masterpieces.

A rare and exclusive opportunity to see the acclaimed ‘Oldham Mural’ at the  Church of the Holy Rosary, Oldham, by the visionary émigré artist George Mayer-Marton (1897-1960). The mosaic mural was originally flanked by fresco representations of the mourning Mary and St John, but currently only the glittering mosaic of the Crucifixion is visible following overpainting in the 1980s. The church has been closed since 2017 and is the subject of a SAVE/C20 campaign.

We will also visit Mayer-Marton’s only other ecclesiastical mural that survives in situ at nearby St Clare’s, Blackley, occupying almost the full height of the east end. 

Finally, All Saints and Martyrs, Middleton (listed in 2021 Grade II) which shares several features with Coventry Cathedral, in particular a work of art that totally dominates the lofty interior and which was commissioned for the church. This is the awesome ‘Langley Cross’ by Geoffrey Clarke, a sculpture which deserves to be recognised as of national significance. Dr Judith LeGrove will talk about the work.

Dr Judith LeGrove is the author of a monograph on Geoffrey Clarke and has written extensively on British post-war sculpture.

Henrietta Billings, director of SAVE Britain’s Heritage, will discuss the growing momentum behind the campaign to save the ‘Oldham Mural’.

A Twentieth Century Society and SAVE Britain’s Heritage event, organised by C20 Northwest

SAVE Friends/Saviours: £25

Members of the public: £28

Meeting Place: Manchester Piccadilly Station, at Fairfield Street, alongside the taxi rank. 

(includes coach travel but not lunch – a stop will be made for lunch)

To find out more about supporting SAVE and receiving discounts on future events please visit our our Support Us page.

Places are strictly limited, booking is essential. If you are unable to book a ticket please email Lettie Mckie lettie.mckie@savebritainsheritage.org 

Image at top: The Oldham Mural (1955) before its partial overpainting. [Credit: Estate of George Mayer-Marton]