A Wonder of Liverpool - or maybe the world?

Wednesday, 08 July 2009 17:16

Whether you are religious or not, have a belief or not, Liverpool Cathedral is worth a visit to marvel at the architecture that sprung from the brain of a 22 year old!

Liverpool Cathedral, set on an hill

Giles Gilbert Scott won a competition for architects to design the "new" Cathedral of Liverpool in 1902. The foundation stone was laid by Edward VII in 1904. Sadly Sir Giles Gilbert Scott (as he became) died in 1960 and did not see the completion of his masterpiece.

Foundation Stone

Liverpool Cathedral was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1978. "One of the greatest buildings of the world" and apparently the largest Anglican Cathedral in the world, was finally complete after 74 years.

In this blog I cannot hope to convey the majesty and awe that the Cathedral inspires, but only try to give you a flavour of it!

We began with "earthly things"! We started with a roast lunch in the Refectory, which extends outside into the Winsford Porch, named after a Liverpool Sea Merchant.

Even the guttering here is ornate

We paid to take the Audio Tour and the Tower Experience. This was well worth the cost as the audio tour took us around the building explaining the history and particular points of interest. The Tower is very high and affords wonderful views over Liverpool - if you can manage the 2 lifts and 108 steps!

Cathedral Nave The roof is amazing

The High Altar The organ and choir stalls


The Grand Organ (a "Father Willis" organ) is the largest in the UK and probably the largest operational organ in the world with 10,268 pipes! We stayed at the Cathedral for Choral Evensong and the experience was so uplifting. The organist was amazing and the Choir (joined by the Girls Choir from Chester Cathedral on this occasion) sang beautifully.

Behind the Altar are two arches that the Choir and Clergy process through from the robing rooms into the Chancel. The choir boys dubbed them the "nostrils" and when you see them it is obvious why!

A "nostril"

The Lady Chapel was the first part to be completed and can be viewed from its gallery and explored at ground floor level too.

The Lady Chapel

The Lady Chapel has its own organ and this is another "Father Willis" organ - John played one of these wonderful organs in Reading Town Hall! Once again Liverpool Cathedral had the largest and the best!

The Baptistry is very ornate

An unusual feature is the Bridge which crosses the Nave near the west entrance

The first Tower lift took us to the Bell Chamber

There is a peal of 14 bells - they all have names (not all Biblical!) and the heaviest, Great George, weighs in at a massive 14.5 tons (almost as heavy as Epiphany!). This is the highest (219 feet) and heaviest (31 tons) ringing peal of church bells in the world. I would not like to be here when they ring!

Despite the rain clouds that were gathering, the views were spectacular from the top. I took some quick shots as the rain started falling just after we arrived there!

Looking towards the South Docks

Salthouse Dock and Museum of Liverpool

Metropolitan Cathedral

Giles Gilbert Scott certainly believed in creating the "biggest and best", although whether he thought that the Cathedral would remain such a monument, we can only surmise! His own monument in the heart of the nave is simple and striking.


P.S. You may see his talent around you every day if you are in the know!

Here is his smallest enduring (just) design, the K2 phone box in his largest enduring design, Liverpool Cathedral! I don't think the Cathedral will be so easily replaced with uninteresting glass and steel!

We finished, as we had started, with tea and biscuits in the Refectory.

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