Three councillors have called for a mural depicting the Crucifixion of Christ to be saved from vandals by being moved to the 'forever home' of Gallery Oldham.
The artwork, designed in 1955 by George Mayer-Marton, shows the crucifixion and sits above the altar of the Church of the Holy Rosary on Fir Tree Avenue.
It has been Grade II Listed by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport with the advice of Historic England.
The Hungarian, Mayer-Marton, fled to Britain from Nazi Germany.
It has been listed after tests on the mural, conducted by the artist’s descendant, concluded the original fresco is completely intact underneath modern painting.
It is one of two ecclesiastical murals by Mayer-Marton that still survives in situ and the only one that incorporates both fresco and mosaic. The Victoria & Albert Museum once described the artwork as a ‘remarkable example of post-war mural art and the revival of the mosaic in Britain.’
The Heritage Minister, Nigel Huddleston MP, himself said: “This stunning mural in Holy Rosary Church deserves to be listed at Grade II. This will protect a one-of-a-kind mural and serve as an important reminder for generations of the artist’s escape from Nazi persecution.”
In their letter, Councillors Dan Costello, Luke Lancaster and Max Woodvine wrote: "We write as three Catholic Councillors sitting on Oldham and Tameside Councils to express our increasing concern surrounding the future of the mural currently housed in Holy Rosary Church, in the Medlock Vale Ward of Oldham, which is threatened by vandalism.
"This socially and historically important mural has now been Grade II Listed… Historic England have highlighted the importance of this mural and asked that steps are taken to ensure its survival urgently. Therefore I ask you to cooperate in protecting and preserving this important and unique piece of our heritage."
They concluded their letter by asking for a discussion on what steps the Diocese and Council can take to ensure that the mural is "enjoyed by people of all faiths and of none for years to come".
Holy Rosary was the childhood church of Cllr Dan Costello, where he received the Sacraments and attended the adjoining school.
Spectacular event steams back into Saddleworth
'Needs improvement' school headed in 'right direction' says headteacher
132 new "future-proof" homes will be built in Derker, Oldham
Oldham: Taxi rank to close as âmajor worksâ take place in town centre
