Service held to rededicate church murals

An appeal was launched to save the “nationally important” works in March after the murals became damaged by water seeping behind the plaster.
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.
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 manufacturers of stained glass and ecclesiastical fittings.
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 St Mary’s murals are among Pippet’s few surviving works in the country.
The reverend at St Mary’s, John Clarke, said: “The paintings are important because they are extremely beautiful and also because they are rare,” Mr Clarke said.
“When most people come into the church they have a sense that it is special, and this adds an extra dimension - a sense of depth, significance and beauty - that makes the occasion, whether it is a baptism, wedding, funeral or even a concert, more meaningful. Visitors nearly always comment on how lovely the wall paintings are.”
The church has had to secure around £30,000 to save the paintings, with money coming from donations and grants from charitable trusts.
Around 60 parishioners attended a special service rededicating the murals on September 8.
“I think it was a good service,” Mr Clarke said. “It was a joint service with traditional and modern hymns which I felt reflected the wall paintings as they connect us with the past and a God who is part of our lives today.”
Also attending was the chairman of Greenham parish council, Tony Forward, who said he was incredibly proud to be a part of a very thoughtful and moving service.
“I’m incredibly proud of Greenham anyway but this church is special because of these stunning paintings. This church is a real hidden gem that many people do not know we have right on our door step.”