On March 22nd Roisin Stoddern gave an interesting and in depth talk on Liverpool’s Metropolitan Cathedral. She explained that in the mid 19th century a Catholic Cathedral was needed in Liverpool because of the large number of Irish immigrants fleeing the Great Famine. Alexander Goss, Catholic Bishop of Liverpool, commissioned Edward Welby Pugin to build a Cathedral at St Edward’s College, Everton. Only the Lady Chapel was built by 1856 as funds were diverted to the education of Catholic children.

In 1930 the Church purchased the site of the old Brownlow Hill workhouse and Sir Edward Lutyens was commissioned to design a new Cathedral. By now, the Anglican Cathedral designed by Giles Gilbert Scott, was partially built and was a huge building. Lutyens design was massive and would have been the second largest Church in the world. Work began in 1933 but was paused in 1941 due to World War 2. Work recommenced in 1956 and the crypt completed by 1958. Due to rising costs the original plans were modified by Adrian Gilbert Scott but these were not accepted.

The present Cathedral was designed by Sir Frederick Gibberd and was built between 1962 and 1967. (The Anglican Cathedral was not completed until 1978). The building is circular to give all the congregation a view of the alter at the centre. The Cathedral these days is affectionately referred to as ‘Paddy’s Wigwam’. We all learned a great deal from this talk and many of our members were able to swap stories of the Catholic Cathedral. We would like to extend our thanks to Roisin for an interesting and enlightening talk.

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Article supplied by Richard Hughes with thanks.