Ecclesiart is an online project that raises awareness of significant works of modern and contemporary art since 1920 in UK churches and cathedrals.
The selected works represent the diversity of high quality church commissions and reflect developments in artistic practice and ecclesiastical art and design. You can explore the collection using the tiles below or by using the Ecclesiart map.
We seek to encourage increased responsibility towards works which may be under-appreciated or at risk and hope that this selection of works provides inspiring and challenging examples of art in churches useful to any parish or individual wishing to commission a new work.
We welcome nominations of new works to be added to Ecclesiart. Please email us with a short text about why you think a work of art should be included with a short theological reflection on the work and its context (no longer than 150 words) and if possible please include images. Please note that we do not accept nominations from artists for their own work.
All permanent works shortlisted for the Award for Art in a Religious Context are added to Ecclesiart. For all other nominations, the Director and trustees of Art and Christianity reserve the right to select works which they determine as meeting the criteria of aptness to context, artistic and technical merit and appropriate theological meaning.
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George Mayer-Marton: Mosaic of St Clare and font
George Mayer-Marton’s work in mosaic for the Franciscan church of St Clare, Blackley, is one of several commissions by the Roman Catholic church in the north-west of England, but only one of three that survive.
George Mayer-Marton: Crucifixion mural
George Mayer-Marton’s Crucifixion mural at the Church of the Holy Rosary (1954–5) was one of several commissions by the Roman Catholic church in the North-West, but only one of three that survive.
F X Velarde and Herbert Tyson Smith: Baptismal font
The opening of English Martyrs RC church in 1953 marked the completion of F X Velarde’s (1897–1960) most ambitious post-war building. An expressionist brick basilica filled with colour and decorative elements; not added but embedded as intrinsic aspects of the architecture. As with all Velarde’s churches the detail was tightly controlled, work with artists being a collaboration. The most successful and longest of these collaborations was with the sculptor Herbert Tyson Smith (1883–1972).
Harry Stammers: Majestas
The original chapel of St Michael’s theological college was destroyed by bombing, and the architect George Pace was commissioned to design a replacement.
John Piper: The Road to Emmaus
A semi-figurative mosaic on the East wall, with an unusual black background. John Piper’s (1903-1992, British) paintings mainly focus on the British landscape and churches.
Giacomo Manzù: St Thérèse of Lisieux
In response to the invitation by the Westminster Cathedral Art and Architecture Committee to Giacomo Manzu that he should produce a low relief bronze wall panel showing St Thérèse of Lisieux for the Cathedral, Manzu submitted a sketch in 1956. This was immediately approved and the commission awarded. Manzu then proceeded to design and produce the bronze in Italy with casting taking place in Milan.
Jean Cocteau: Interior murals and altar
Cocteau completed the murals between the 3rd and 11th November 1959. The theme he chose to depict was the Annunciation, the Crucifixion and the Assumption. It is said that he spoke out loud to the characters as he was drawing them. While painting the virgin he is quoted as saying, ““O you, most beautiful of women, loveliest of God’s creatures, you were the best loved.
Barbara Hepworth: Madonna and Child
Barbara Hepworth’s Madonna and Child was carved in memory of her son Paul who died in an RAF plane crash over Thailand in 1953.
