A cathedral for our time

Concrete and stained glass crown the top of Mount Pleasant in Liverpool, the home land for the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. Last month we marked its opening date, May 14th, 1967, fifty one years ago. Early this September the Archdiocese will be the focus of 'Adoremus', the National Eucharistic Congress.

As a major international port, the significance of the city of Liverpool in the life of our country is a long story, going back to the infamous days of slavery. In the 19th century it was the point of arrival for the poor of Ireland fleeing their country as a consequence of the Great Famine. With this huge influx, the Catholic population of the city grew dramatically, for although some used the city for further embarkation to North America, a significant number stayed and settled in the city. The co-adjutor Bishop of Liverpool, Alexander Goss, saw the need for a cathedral and settled on a site in Everton to fulfil his dream.

Pugin was selected as the architect and by 1856, the Lady Chapel of the new cathedral had been completed. Financial restraints brought the whole project to a halt. It wasn't until the 1930s that Edwin Lutyens began work on his design for a cathedral on a site at the top of Brownlow hill. His proposed edifice got no further than the crypt when, in 1956, building ceased.

The present cathedral, built over Lutyens crypt, was completed in five years and opened in 1967. The inspirational design, of a circular form round a central altar, offers a different aspect to the long nave and choir of the more traditional designs. Following its opening, the design a number of new parish churches across the country were strongly influenced by Liverpool.

The lantern that rises from the conical structure over the high altar is brilliantly lit with red, blue and yellow glass, the work of the artist John Piper: not the traditional thin coloured glass set in a tracery of lead but thick, vibrant chunks of glass set in a concrete lattice, a bold statement of intent if ever there was one.

Within the concrete buttresses that rise to support the tower are set small chapels for prayer and seclusion. Beyond the High altar is the Blessed Sacrament chapel with its beautiful abstract wall panel in yellow and white. Of all the artistic decoration in the cathedral, this I treasure most and for many years a print of that image was pinned to the wall behind the desk in my office in school. It is quite beautiful.

Along Hope Street, it is but a short walk to the Anglican cathedral, two centres of Christian worship connected by a street called hope. They have a further, less well known link, the sculptor Elisabeth Frink, for two significant pieces of her work are to be found in the cathedrals.

The figure of Christ crucified, designed by Frink, hangs over the High altar in the Metropolitan cathedral, whilst one of her last works, the Welcoming Christ of Resurrection is positioned over the West entrance to the Anglican cathedral. Both fine pieces of devotional art, very different in their expression, the work of a great figurative artist.

There is a coolness and quiet response to footfall and voice in the circular space within the concrete cone. Beyond that cone, rising over the entrance steps from Mount Pleasant is the concrete bell tower, a free standing structure housing the four great bells of the cathedral.

What a fine, magnificent statement of faith the whole design represents! It is a memory of my few years teaching on Merseyside that remains with me.

To return to this coming September and the Eucharistic Pilgrimage and Congress in Liverpool. On the Catholic News website there is this summary of intention.

'The bishops of England and Wales are holding a National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and Congress in Liverpool in September 2018.

Eucharistic Congresses are gatherings of clergy, religious and laity which promote an awareness of the central place of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Church.

The last International Eucharistic Congress in England was held in 1908 when permission for a public procession of the Blessed Sacrament was refused. 

Participants will engage in a series of sessions focusing on different dimensions of the Eucharist and the daily celebration and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament'.

This time of year is often the occasion of First Communion; to conclude, a brief reflection.

With bare, open hands we stand in utter stillness

before the Table of the Lord.

As once we did then, so still we do now

Christ-caught, hand-held

with this shared Eucharistic Bread broken between us

and a cup to satisfy our thirst.

Later in the silence of thanksgiving

pause to share with others this simple, awesome gift.

Be at one

in a time

of prayer.

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