A Glasgow mural, thought lost for decades, is unveiled in the city

A GLASGOW mural thought to be lost after decades of searching without finding a trace has been rediscovered and brought back to its hometown.

Painted in 1951, “Christ Feeding the People” was acclaimed as remarkable and groundbreaking on many fronts and went on display for the first time in 40 years.

And it’s thanks to retired minister John Harvey and his wife Molly, who both had ties to Govan, and their 30 years of research that the painting is finally home.

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For over 25 years the mural hung in a busy public canteen at the Iona Community Base in Clyde Street until the building was demolished in 1977 when it was put into storage.

HeraldScotland: Unveiling of the lost 'Christ Feeding The People' mural by artist Fyffe Christie in the former Govan Old Church.  Photo by Colin Mearns.Unveiling of the lost mural ‘Christ Feeding The People’ by artist Fyffe Christie in the former Govan Church. Photo by Colin Mearns.

A few years later it made a brief appearance at an art exhibition in Edinburgh before disappearing completely and being lost. Then, in 1998, it was spotted in the hands of an Oxford art dealer who had bought it at auction but then sold it to an unknown person. Rumor had it that it had been exported to America. In 2017, it was finally awarded ownership by an art dealer living in Canada.

Speaking at the unveiling, Mr Harvey said: “It was a very important painting for us and for the community of Iona as it was an important part of its social history and a symbol of its mission and the gift Christian to give.

“We really didn’t think we would find the board, but we had a breakthrough in 2012 that led us to owner in Canada in 2017.”

Pat Cassidy of Govan Heritage Trust said the find was a triumph.

“To have him traced is the triumph of a small group of people, led by Mr and Mrs Harvey, both of whom have strong relationships with Govan,” Mr Cassidy said.

HeraldScotland: The mural, painted in 1951, was purchased and brought back to Glasgow by the Glasgow charity Govan Heritage Trust for display at the old Govan Church.  Photo by Colin Mearns.The mural, painted in 1951, was purchased and brought back to Glasgow by the Glasgow charity Govan Heritage Trust for display at the old Govan Church. Photo by Colin Mearns.

Mr Harvey was a minister in Govan Old in the 1980s and his wife’s father Molly was assistant minister to George MacLeod, campaigner and leader of the Iona community in the 1930s. It is their tireless commitment and clever detective work over a period of 30 years that finally brought them to Canada in 2017.

Mr Cassidy added: ‘They saw Govan as a suitable home if the mural could be salvaged and asked us to get involved in bringing it back. This only became possible thanks to a generous benefactor. After the first viewing and brief public display over the coming week, the painting will be placed in storage while funds are raised for its preservation. He will definitely return to Govan Old at a later date.

The mural combined a religious message but was unmistakably a Glasgow painting of its people and building life.

HeraldScotland: The mural will be on display until June 19The mural will be on display until June 19

It was also notable for the extraordinary scale of the artists’ canvas – a virtual cinema screen, 32ft x 8ft – onto which Glasgow School of Art-educated Fyffe Christie projected a variety of cameos celebrating the life of ordinary families.

They included a woman bathing a baby, another cooking, people doing household chores, a worker returning from work – for the figure of Christ stands among them.

The mural was brought back to town by the charity Govan Heritage Trust for display in the former Govan Church, where there are ambitious £5.9million plans to turn the A-listed building into a tourist attraction.

Administrator Mr Cassidy added: “This is a fantastic acquisition which will enhance what Govan Old has to offer. I’m sure people will come here just to see the Fyffe Christie mural. This is an asset that will enrich the outstanding artefacts already on display, including the Govan Stones, which is a rare collection of early medieval carvings as significant as those nationally celebrated at Iona, St Andrews and Whithorn.

“The Govan Old site dates back to the 6th century or earlier, is one of the oldest Christian settlements in the west of Scotland and the oldest known Christian place of worship on the Clyde. We are building our regeneration plans around this rich heritage and look forward to the day when tens of thousands of people come here to enjoy Govan for the remarkable place it is.”

The trust has completed its first phase of work and is now issuing a public appeal to help start the next phase – an extension building providing facilities that will enable the old church to function better as a place and museum.

Mr Cassidy added: “We have raised £1.85m of the £2.2m target and need £350,000 to get there.”

The genesis of the Fyffe Christie mural, if not quite Red Clydeside, lies in working for social justice in Glasgow in the 20th century and exposing the appalling conditions in which people lived.

It was intended to evoke the Christian spirit of giving when commissioned by MacLeod, a leader of the Iona community he founded when he was a minister in Govan Old in the poverty-stricken 1930s.

The mural will remain on display until Sunday, June 19 at Govan Old, open daily from 1-4 p.m.

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