Mural of "dazzling beauty" vandalised just two weeks before being listed by the government

An artwork of "dazzling beauty" was vandalised just weeks before being given listed status by the government. The 1955 mural by Hungarian George Mayer-Marton of Christ on the cross dominates the interior of Holy Rosary RC Church in Oldham.

But intruders got into the empty building and slashed the mural at the beginning of this month after forcing the rear of the premises. The church, which has also been given Grade II listed status, has stood empty, and closed for good, for four years, its congregation now scattered.

However the Diocese of Salford has held talks with police and says security will be bolstered as it now has a responsibility to safeguard the work.

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An 18-month national campaign led by Mayer-Marton's great nephew, Nick Braithwaite, backed by the country's leading art experts, and SAVE Britain's Heritage has been staged to save the mural.

It had been feared the unremarkable nature of the church would mean it would never be considered of sufficient importance to be given listed building status, and that the site was at risk from developers. But on the advice of their advisors, Historic England, the Department for Digital Culture, Media and Sport, has decided it and the mural warrant protection.

In 2018 Tristan Hunt, Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, said: "The V&A regards ‘The Crucifixion’ … to be a remarkable example of Post-war mural art and the revival of the mosaic in Britain. It is also emblematic of the influence of European emigre modernists on British art.

He added, “A powerful interpretation of a common religious subject, it is a work of considerable importance for the