St Joseph (RC) Taylor Street Heywood

There are several churches that have mosaics that are undoubtedly designed by Eric Newton. The Church of St Joseph in Heywood, Lancashire, has mosaics that span the period from when it was built in 1914 until the 1960s. The four large panels, two each side of the altar, are opus sectile and they and the panels of mosaic set into the floor of the sanctuary and at the entrances to the chapels appear to be the earliest work. The mosaic in the semi-dome seems later and has a much stronger design element, like the one at Cabra. It shows a real knowledge and understanding of Byzantine and later Christian mosaics. The mosaic is lit from above and the pale blue dove almost appears spot-lit. A rainbow surrounds the central panel of Christ crowning his mother. St Joseph and St John the Evangelist stand either side on islands surrounded by water, beautifully stylised, and set against the shining Venetian gold of the rest of the dome. The entrance to the church contains another portrait of St Joseph, which looks to be a much later work – perhaps of the 1960s. The figure composition shows none of Eric or Lehmann’s mastery and is very awkwardly drawn compared, say, to the figure of St Joseph that Eric Newton did for Hillsborough in the 1930s. [Robert Field - L Oppenheimer Ltd]

Reference           Pevsner Manchester and South-East Lancashire page 237