Cathedrals in Liverpool – two day tour

Friday 16 May

Tour of the Roman Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King from 2-4pm

The pro bono Curator of the Cathedral Treasury will be our guide. Please meet at the Metropolitan Cathedral, at the foot of the flight of steps next to the sacristy door, adjacent to Cathedral House on Mount Pleasant at 1.50pm.

About the cathedral

The striking design of the cathedral is the work of the pioneering, modernist architect Sir Frederick Ernest Gibberd. Built between 1962 and 1967, it is conical in form, surmounted by a lantern in the shape of a truncated cone.

The main body of the cathedral is formed of sixteen huge concrete ribs clad in white glass tesserae (now temporarily protected by fibreglass panels), with a lantern above. Portland stone clad chapels of various forms surround the circular body of the church and the front bay consists of a massive entrance porch, triangular in section, that rises up away from the building and contains four bells. It is decorated with a geometric relief designed by William Mitchell and other examples of his relief work can be found around the main entrance.

Inside, the high altar is the focal point, placed centrally within the space, thereby enabling all the members of a large congregation to participate fully in the celebration of the mass. Above the altar hangs a structure of aluminium rods, designed by Gibberd, that recalls a baldacchino and links the sanctuary with the lantern tower above (pictured).

The work of many exceptional artists is on display in the church. John Piper and Patrick Reyntiens collaborated on the designs for the stained glass panels in the lantern, and the church also includes examples of the work of Elisabeth Frink, Ceri Richards, Margaret Traherne and Sean Rice.

Incorporated into Gibberd’s work is the Crypt, built between 1933 and 1941, that was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens for a cathedral on this site that was never constructed, owing to the outbreak of World War II. The elegant design of the various spaces of the Crypt – passageways, chapels, hall and concert room – combined with the materials of blue bricks and granite impart the idea of grace combined with strength to many visitors today.

Highlights of the tour will include access to parts of the Crypt that are of architectural interest, but not often open to visitors and a chance to see some unique artefacts, such as architectural drawings and bespoke commissions of church plate, old and new, that are in regular use in liturgical celebrations.

Optional supper at the Philharmonic Dining Rooms, 36 Hope Street, L1 9BX

A provisional group booking has been made at the Philharmonic Dining Rooms for 6.15pm on Friday 16 May for those who would like to enjoy supper in this spectacular setting.

(Please note that meals and drinks are not included in the ticket price. Please specify on your booking whether you would like to come.)

About the Philharmonic Dining Rooms

This Grade I listed public house was built between 1898–1900. Its flamboyant design is the work of Walter W. Thomas for Robert Cain & Sons.

Designated ‘of exceptional quality in national terms’ by Pollard and Pevsner in the Buildings of England series, the five-storey building boasts an exuberant variety of architectural features on the exterior, including a two-storey oriel window, gables, turrets and a balustraded, serpentine balcony. The gates at the entrance are considered to be some of the highest quality Art Nouveau metalwork in England. Inside, the rooms are richly decorated with copper panels, plasterwork and mosaics, and finely carved woodwork throughout, including finishes of mahogany and glass.

Saturday 17 May

Tour of the Anglican Cathedral, Church of Christ, from 10am-12noon

Richard MacDonald, Senior Regeneration Officer for Wigan Council and Blue Badge Guide, will lead the tour. Please meet just outside the main entrance of the Anglican Cathedral at 9.50am.

About the cathedral

An imposing structure, constructed of brick with red sandstone facings, the cathedral is sited on a hill looking out over the city and the Mersey estuary. Based on designs by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, work began in 1904 and was only completed in 1978.

The interior boasts monumental spaces – exceptional in width and height – that include a nave of 475ft (139.3m) in length, a chancel and ambulatory, transepts, Lady Chapel and Chapter House. The design of the Lady Chapel shows the influence of the work of George Frederick Bodley, who was initially employed to act as joint architect of the cathedral with Scott. However, for the most part, the cathedral displays Scott’s New Gothic style to great effect, combining traditional designs with twentieth-century engineering and craftsmanship. Under Scott’s supervision, the sculpture, stained glass and woodwork have been fully integrated into the design and feature the work of some of the finest artists and workshops of the age. The Vestey Tower, for example, built as a memorial, is the work of William Morris & Son.

The tour will include an examination of some of the most significant design and decorative features of the church, as well as a visit to the Lady Chapel, Chapter House and the Bridge over the nave. We will end the tour in the cathedral’s fascinating cemetery.

Please note: access to the Vestey Tower is not included in the ticket price.

For any queries about the logistics of the visit, please contact Frances Cook visits@ecclsoc.org. If you have queries about purchasing tickets, please contact Becky Payne admin@ecclsoc.org. Nearer the time a mobile phone number will be given out to all attendees for any last-minute issues.