A mural painted in a Catholic church by a Jewish refugee escaping the Nazis has been given Grade II listed status.

The mural – that depicts the crucifixion of Christ – was painted in Oldham by George Mayer-Marton.

The Holy Rosary church mural was recently vandalised, adding further fuel to a six-year campaign to ensure its protection.

The project was lead by the great-nephew of the artist, Nick Braithwaite.

Made of mosaic and fresco, the artwork stands at 8ft high. It was initially flanked by frescos of Mary and St John, but these were painted over by a priest in the 1980s.

The Historic England report states: “The mural is highly unusual and possibly unique in this country in its striking aesthetic combination of neo-baroque mosaic and modernist Cubist-influenced fresco inventively applied to traditional Christian iconography in a deeply personal evocation of suffering and redemption.”

It’s one of only two murals by Mayer-Marton to survive in-situ. However, the building is currently being used as a store after being closed as a place of worship in 2017 – one of 20 churches in the area that suffered a similar fate.