Pictures of Liverpool (7) The Roman Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King and the Lutyens Crypt

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Liverpool RC Cathedral: The Catholic Cathedral is situated at the north end of Hope Street where it meets Mount Pleasant. Liverpool became a Catholic Diocese in 1850 and a cathedral was started in Everton in 1853, but never came to fruition. In the 1930, with Liverpool's population swelled by thousands of Irish-Catholics, it was proposed to build a cathedral in a scale and style never seen in Britain before. Sir Edward Lutyens was commissioned and the design exhibited in the Royal Academy London in 1932. However with lack of funds, only the great Crypt was completed by 1958. In the 1960 a world wide competition was launched for a new design more in keeping with the new spirit of the Liturgy then being formulated by the second Vatican Council. The architect Frederick Gibberd's design was chosen and building began in 1962 and the finished cathedral was consecrated on May 14th 1967.

Entry is FREE, so PLEASE leave a donation to help with the running of this magnificent building

Exterior architecture  *  Internal Design  *  Lutyens Crypt

The Exterior of the Cathedral

The approach to the Cathedral entrance from Mount Pleasant. Two of the tall stained glass panels are in the foreground. You can also see the Cathedral was being used for one of the graduation days of the universities.

Looking up to the entrance to Liverpool's RC Cathedral from the Cathedral Gift Shop and Pizza Cafe Bar which is set by the Cathedral steps.

Liverpool RC Cathedral: The concrete sculptures and campanile above the entrance.

Liverpool RC Cathedral: The entrance

 

Liverpool RC Cathedral: More of the tall stained glass window panels at the rear' of the cathedral.

Liverpool RC Cathedral: The full pyramidal-circular nature of the Cathedral structure is best appreciated on the Brownlow Hill side of it.

Liverpool RC Cathedral: The angled concrete 'buttresses' supporting the main structure.

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The Interior of the Cathedral

Liverpool RC Cathedral: On the Cathedral interior walls are embroidered hangings designed and made in the Cathedral Art Studio.

Liverpool RC Cathedral:

Liverpool RC Cathedral: View from the entrance foyer to the Sanctuary and High Altar.

Liverpool RC Cathedral: Left - statue of St Martin de Porres

Liverpool RC Cathedral: Right - The sculpture by Stephen Foster in the Children's Chapel

Liverpool RC Cathedral:

Liverpool RC Cathedral: Some of the blue-cyan coloured stained glass windows

The Lantern glass is the design of John Piper and made by Patrick Reyntiens.

Other stained glass window artists featured are Ceri Richards and Margaret Treherne who produced panels for some of the chapels

Liverpool RC Cathedral: The beautifully carved and 'lightly' painted wooden panels and stone altar in St Joseph's Chapel.

Liverpool RC Cathedral:  The carved and painted panels in St Joseph's Chapel

Above/below - Liverpool RC Cathedral: ? Chapel

More of the stained glass panel work

Liverpool RC Cathedral: Some of the smaller stained glass windows.

Liverpool RC Cathedral: Chapel of Reconciliation stained glass window and statue of Christ

Liverpool RC Cathedral: John Piper's stained glass window panels of the lantern - effectively the 'dome' of the cathedral.

Liverpool RC Cathedral: The lantern

Liverpool RC Cathedral: The lantern

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The Lutyens Crypt

Liverpool RC Cathedral - Lutyens Crypt: The Crypt is effectively the crypt of the Sir Edwin Lutyens (a much renowned architect) cathedral that was never built in the 1930s. The Crypt was built between 1933 and 1958 and is a massive vaulted brick construction. Above is a view of the Crypt Hall.

Liverpool RC Cathedral - Lutyens Crypt: It is one of the biggest crypts in the world.

Liverpool RC Cathedral - Lutyens Crypt: There are four large spaces and each can hold between 300 and 700 people!

Liverpool RC Cathedral - Lutyens Crypt:

Liverpool RC Cathedral - Lutyens Crypt: One of the halls is used as a concert room.

Liverpool RC Cathedral - Lutyens Crypt: Wonderful radial brickwork of the concert room.

Liverpool RC Cathedral - Lutyens Crypt: The two great windows of the Crypt with a small amount of stained glass.

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Looking from Liverpool RC Cathedral to the great square tower of the Anglican Cathedral at the other end of Hope Street.

Notes on the Roman Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King and the Lutyens Crypt

The essential picture: Liverpool's Roman Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King is one of the most important works of post‑war British architecture — a radical circular cathedral (1962–67) by Sir Frederick Gibberd, built above the monumental 1930s Lutyens Crypt, the only completed portion of what would have been one of the largest churches in the world. The two structures together form one of the most fascinating “layered” cathedral complexes in Europe.

Below is a full, structured guide to both the history and architecture, integrating the most authoritative recent sources.

 1. Historical Development: Three Cathedral Visions

1. Early Catholic Expansion & the Pugin Scheme (1850s–1900s)

• Liverpool's Catholic population surged during and after the Great Famine, with around half a million Irish refugees passing through the city.
• Bishop Alexander Goss commissioned Edward Welby Pugin in 1853 to design a large Gothic Revival cathedral on St Domingo Road.
• Only the Lady Chapel (Our Lady Immaculate) was completed by 1856; the rest was abandoned due to financial pressures.

2. The Lutyens Era (1930–1941): A Cathedral to Rival St Peter's

• In 1930, the Archdiocese purchased the vast Brownlow Hill workhouse site.
• Sir Edwin Lutyens was commissioned in 1933 to design a colossal classical‑Byzantine cathedral — the second largest in the world after St Peter's.
• The foundation stone was laid on 5 June 1933.
• Construction continued until WWII; only the crypt and some foundations were completed.
• Lutyens died in 1944, and the project became financially impossible (estimated cost £27 million by the 1950s).

3. The Gibberd Cathedral (1962–1967): A Modern Vision

• A new international design competition (1959–60) attracted nearly 300 entries.
• Sir Frederick Gibberd won with a radical circular design emphasising communal worship.
• Construction began 1962; the cathedral was consecrated on Pentecost 1967.
• In 2025, the cathedral was upgraded to Grade I listed status, recognising its international architectural significance.

2. Architecture of the Metropolitan Cathedral (Gibberd, 1962–67)

Overall Concept

• A circular plan with the altar at the centre — a revolutionary departure from traditional longitudinal cathedrals.
• Designed to embody the liturgical reforms that would soon be articulated at Vatican II: participation, visibility, unity.
• Nicknames: “Paddy's Wigwam” and “The Mersey Funnel”.

Exterior

• Materials: exposed concrete frame, Portland stone cladding, stainless‑steel roof (replacing original aluminium).
• Bell tower: a wedge‑shaped concrete structure forming the dramatic main entrance.
• Flying buttresses radiate around the circular drum, giving the cathedral its distinctive crown‑like silhouette.
• The cathedral sits on a rectangular podium, the north side formed by the roof of the Lutyens Crypt.

Interior

• Centralised worship space: all seating faces the high altar, emphasising unity.
• The Lantern (“Corona”):
  • A soaring crown of coloured glass by John Piper and Patrick Reyntiens.
  • Uses an innovative technique of epoxy‑resin‑set glass within thin concrete ribs — invented specifically for this building.
• Chapels: Twelve radiating chapels, each with distinctive artworks and glazing.
• Major artworks:
  • William Mitchell's sculpted Evangelist Doors and bell‑tower carvings.
  • Elizabeth Frink's crucifix.
  • Ceri Richards' work in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel.
  • Margaret Traherne's coloured glass in several chapels.
• Flooring: geometric patterns by David Atkins.

Significance

• Considered the greatest Roman Catholic post‑war architectural commission in Britain.
• A landmark of modernist religious architecture, integrating art, engineering, and liturgical innovation.

3. The Lutyens Crypt (1933–41)

Purpose & Survival

• The crypt is the only completed portion of Lutyens' vast classical cathedral.
• Built of deep purple brick with Irish grey granite facing.
• Its scale and craftsmanship reveal the ambition of the unbuilt superstructure.

Architectural Character

• Monumental vaulted spaces, heavy piers, and a sense of Romanesque‑Byzantine massing.
• The atmosphere is often described as “grand yet intimate”, a powerful contrast to the light‑filled Gibberd cathedral above.
• The crypt's roof forms part of the podium on which the modern cathedral stands.

The Treasury

• Houses sacred vessels, vestments, and liturgical artefacts spanning centuries.
• Includes silver chalices, processional crosses, and richly embroidered vestments.

Use Today

• Open to visitors; also used for concerts, ceremonies, and special events.
• Often called “Liverpool's third cathedral” because of its architectural completeness and distinct identity.

4. How the Two Structures Relate

Together they form a unique architectural palimpsest: a 1930s classical crypt supporting a 1960s modernist cathedral — two visions of Catholic Liverpool separated by war, economics, and changing theology.

Here is a full, structured visitor's guide to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King and the Lutyens Crypt — written in the same clear, practical, heritage‑focused style you use on docbrown.info, and tailored for visitors exploring Liverpool.

Visitor's Guide

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, Liverpool

and the Lutyens Crypt beneath it

1. Why Visit?

Liverpool's Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral is one of the most unusual and architecturally important cathedrals in Europe.
Visitors experience two cathedrals in one:

• A 1960s circular modernist cathedral filled with colour and light
• A 1930s monumental crypt by Sir Edwin Lutyens — the only completed part of what would have been the world's second‑largest cathedral

The contrast between the two is extraordinary: light above, shadow below; modernity above, classical mass below.

 2. Practical Visitor Information

Opening Hours

• Cathedral: usually 7:30am – 6:00pm
• Crypt: varies; typically open for tours, exhibitions, and events
• Treasury Museum: limited hours; check on arrival

(Times can vary with liturgical events.)

Admission

• Cathedral: free
• Crypt & Treasury: small charge for guided tours or exhibitions

Location

• Mount Pleasant, Liverpool L3 5TQ
• 10–15 minutes' walk from Lime Street Station
• Sits at the opposite end of Hope Street from the Anglican Cathedral

Accessibility

• Step‑free access to the cathedral
• Crypt access via lift (ask staff)

Photography

• Allowed in the cathedral (no flash during services)
• Restricted in the Treasury

3. Suggested Visitor Route (45–90 minutes)

A. Approach & Exterior (10 minutes)

Stand back on the piazza to appreciate:

• The crown‑like lantern
• The sweeping concrete buttresses
• The dramatic bell‑tower entrance
• The elevated podium (the roof of the Lutyens Crypt)

Best viewpoint:
Top of the steps on Mount Pleasant — the cathedral rises like a modernist crown above the city.

B. Enter Through the Great West Doors (5 minutes)

Designed by William Mitchell, these sculptural doors depict the Four Evangelists in bold, textured concrete.

Inside, pause to let your eyes adjust — the space is circular, soaring, and filled with coloured light.

C. The Central Sanctuary (10 minutes)

The high altar stands at the centre, surrounded by seating — a radical design for its time.

Look up at the Lantern (“Corona”):

• Designed by John Piper and Patrick Reyntiens
• 16-sided crown of deep blues, reds, and purples
• Light shifts constantly throughout the day

This is the cathedral's greatest artistic achievement.

D. The Radiating Chapels (15–20 minutes)

Walk clockwise. Highlights include:

1. Blessed Sacrament Chapel

• Designed as a circular “jewel box”
• Gold mosaic ceiling
• Art by Ceri Richards

2. Chapel of Reconciliation

• Quiet, contemplative
• Beautiful modern stained glass

3. Lady Chapel

• Soft light and Marian imagery
• One of the most peaceful spaces

4. St Joseph Chapel

• Strong sculptural forms
• Good example of 1960s liturgical art

Each chapel has its own character, glazing, and artwork — a miniature art trail.

E. The Ambulatory & Artworks (5–10 minutes)

Look for:

• Stations of the Cross (modernist bronze)
• Elizabeth Frink's crucifix
• William Mitchell's concrete reliefs

The cathedral is a showcase of post‑war British religious art.

🧱 4. Visiting the Lutyens Crypt (20–40 minutes)

How to Access

• Entrance is via the lower level, reached from the exterior piazza
• Staff will direct you to the crypt tour or exhibition entrance

What to See

1. The Grand Entrance Hall

A powerful introduction to Lutyens' vision:

• Deep purple brick
• Massive piers
• Barrel vaults
• A sense of Romanesque gravity

2. The Concert Room

Originally intended as part of the vast undercroft.
Now used for:

• Concerts
• Exhibitions
• University events

3. The Treasury Museum

Displays include:

• Silver chalices and monstrances
• Embroidered vestments
• Historic liturgical objects
• Items from the old Pugin cathedral project

4. The Lutyens Foundations

Some tours include access to the surviving foundations of the unbuilt superstructure — a fascinating glimpse of the scale of the original plan.

5. Understanding the Two Cathedrals Together

Above: Gibberd's 1960s modernist cathedral

• Light
• Colour
• Circular unity
• Post‑Vatican II liturgical thinking

Below: Lutyens' 1930s classical crypt

• Mass
• Shadow
• Monumentality
• Pre‑war imperial classicism

Together they form one of the most unusual architectural pairings in Europe — a literal layering of two eras, two theologies, and two architectural philosophies.

6. Best Photo Spots

• Piazza steps — full façade and lantern
• Hope Street — framed view between the two cathedrals
• Inside, beneath the lantern — dramatic coloured light
• Crypt entrance hall — atmospheric brick vaulting

7. Tips for Visitors

• Visit early morning or late afternoon for the best coloured light inside.
• Combine with the Anglican Cathedral for the famous “Two Cathedrals Walk”.
• Allow extra time if the crypt has an exhibition (often excellent).
• The cathedral café is good for a break; the gift shop has high‑quality art books.

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LIVERPOOL PICTURE INDEX: Liverpool (1) The Albert Dock, Salthouse Dock, Canning Dock and Wapping Dock Area  Liverpool (2) The Pierhead and 'Three Graces' Buildings Area  Liverpool (3) The 'NEW' Museum of Liverpool  (4) The Maritime Museum and The International Museum of Slavery  Liverpool (5) Lime Street Station, Mount Pleasant and University Area  Liverpool (6) Bold Street Area, Bluecoat School Chambers and St Luke's Church  Liverpool (7) The Roman Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King & Crypt  Liverpool (8) The Anglican Cathedral  Liverpool (9) A Miscellany of Buildings  Liverpool (10) St George's Hall Area & William Brown Street Liverpool (11) The Walker Art Gallery  Liverpool (12) The World Museum  Liverpool (13) YHA Youth Hostel and some places to eat and drink  Liverpool (14) A Ferry Trip on the River Mersey Ferryboat the ROYAL IRIS  Liverpool (15) The Tate Modern Art Gallery, Liverpool  (16) The Central Library and a wild flower garden!

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