Appeal to save historic murals in Greenham

The murals have been damaged by water getting in behind the plaster and the Vicar at St Mary’s, John Clarke, said: “The fine wall paintings at St Mary's, Greenham are considered to be of national importance. It would be a tragedy if they were lost.”
The frescoes and mural decorations were added between 1888 and 1891 from designs by J.A. Pippet who worked for the Birmingham based company Hardman and Co, one of the world’s leading manufactures of stained glass and ecclesiastical fittings until it was wound up in 2008.
The frescoes depict Jesus on the North side of the chapel arch and the prophet Isaiah on the South side above the pulpit.
The twelve apostles are also depicted holding scrolls each containing a clause of the apostles’ creed.
The grade II listed St Mary’s was designed by one of the leading ecclesiastical architects of the Victorian era, Henry Woodyer, and opened in October 1876.
It is one of two churches where Pippet’s original artwork remains, the other being St Ann’s in Stetford, Greater Manchester.
Church Warden, Bruce Burnell, said it is believed the murals were painted as part of a contract by Woodyer and Hardman and Co as the murals are not a common site in a small county church such as Greenham and that congregation would be sad to see them go.
“It’s very important to get the murals restored as once they are lost the are gone forever, Mr Burnell said.
The estimated cost of the work is £30,000 and Greenham Common Trust have agreed to match any amount donated.
To make a donation visit www.findmeagrant.org/wberks application WB10393 or write a cheque to St Mary’s PCC, which can be handed in at the church or posted to the giving secretary 31 Abbey Close, Newbury, RG14 7QX.q