Liverpool Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral in the city of Liverpool, England. It is the seat of the bishop of Liverpool and is the mother church of the diocese of Liverpool. The church may be formally referred to as the Cathedral Church of Christ in Liverpool the Cathedral Church of the Risen Christ, Liverpool.^[1] It is the largest cathedral and religious building in Britain,^[2] and the eighth largest church in the world.

The cathedral is based on a design by Giles Gilbert Scott and was constructed between 1904 and 1978. It is the longest cathedral in the world;^[3] the total external length of the building, including the Lady Chapel (dedicated to the Blessed Virgin), is 207 yards (189 m), its internal length is 160 yards (150 m). In terms of overall volume, Liverpool Cathedral ranks as the fifth-largest cathedral in the world^[4] and contests with the incomplete Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City for the title of largest Anglican church building.^[5] With a height of 331 feet (101 m) it is also one of the world’s tallest non-spired church buildings and the fourth-tallest structure in the city of Liverpool. The cathedral is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building.^[6]

When I woke up on Saturday morning, I asked Mr C if there was a plan for the day. He replied ‘a plan is emerging’. This is code for there is no plan.

I emerged from the bathroom to get dressed ready for the day and was informed that we were going to Liverpool to visit the Anglican Cathedral. Mr C nipped out to do a couple of things and by the time he returned I was dressed and ready for our adventure.

Unlike our recent adventures by train, we travelled by car. The journey went smoothly with no delays. We arrived at the Cathedral carpark just in time for lunch in Welsford Bistro. We both chose toasties, mine was falafel and chilli jam, it was delicious.

Our first impression of the Cathedral was “WOW!” because of its immense proportions. The architecture is certainly impressive but I felt the building had a lack of soul (atmosphere). My thought was enhanced by witnessing a church service taking place in the nave at the same time that people from the Bistro were eating at tables on the edge of the nave, just behind the congregation. Some sort of portable screen would have made the service more intimate and meaningful even for those not taking part.

The Cathedral is constructed of dark sandstone and, due to the height of the building, even the amazingly large stained-glass windows were unable to cast bright light into the body of the Cathedral. We visited on a dull day so maybe I would feel differently on a bright sunny day.

The lady chapel is quite a contrast. It is bright, airy, and full of light and also peaceful with a ‘sit and rest a while’ air about it.

On our way home we detoured by Cheshire Oaks; Mr C was in search of new frying pans. I think this was Mr C’s main destination to which he added something he knew I would enjoy, a Cathedral and one I hadn’t visited before so that I could get another stamp in my Cathedral passport.

Getting my passport stamp is often an interesting experience. In Liverpool Cathedral, they weren’t really engaged with it and it was just a thing that was available. Whereas on our recent visit to Southwark Cathedral the lady who greeted visitors was interested to know if I was on a pilgrimage or if I was collecting stamps from the Anglican Cathedrals listed in the Passport. I am collecting stamps from the Cathedrals listed, that is my pilgrimage. I was able to show her the front of my passport where all the cathedrals I have visited over the years are highlighted, the ones in green are those that I have visited since I obtained my passport.

She has the passport too and asked which were my favourite Cathedrals…

PS: we got the required frying pans from Boundary Mill a few days later.

This time to Liverpool Cathedral by road rather than rail.

I have been too busy with adventures, medical appointments (mum), volunteering with the National Trust and a local school that I havn’t had time  share my recent adventures in detail.

More coming soon…