We went to visit the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King with grandson.
On each side of the entrance are two bronze doors, the panels of which depict the winged emblems of the four evangelists - the man of St Matthew, the lion of St Mark, the ox of St Luke and the eagle of St John.
High above in the the bell tower of Portland stone is carved the cross of Christ flanked by the crosses of the two thieves who were crucified with him. The bells are dedicated to the four evangelists and are electrically operated to ring in an harmonious chord or tolled individually. The roof of the cathedral is topped by the lantern tower in the form of a crown. The stained glass was designed by John Piper and Patrick Reyntiens.
Built between 1962 and 1967 the cathedral can seat more than 2,000 people and yet no-one is very far from the altar because of the circular design of the sanctuary which contains the high altar, the lectern for the reading of the scriptures and the bishop's chair. All the side chapels are in the round whilst the Blessed Sacrament Chapel together with the organ is located behind the high altar. Tapestries and banners hang on the walls and can be seen from any angle in the sanctuary.
I'll leave you to walk around.
prayers can be written and left in the Chapel of St. Anne,
the Children's Chapel
Jesus welcoming the children in the Children's Chapel
(sculpture by Stephen Foster)
The Holy Spirit mosaic in the Chapel of Unity
(artist Hungarian-born George Mayer-Martin)
The work is done using the same technique
as those of the ancient mosaics of Ravenna.
The Baptistry
A wall hanging depicting St Nicholas, patron of the city
and of seafarers
The Chapel of Reconciliation
the Crucifixion of Christ
(one of the stations of the cross -
The Way of the Cross)
(artist Sean Rice)
Christ in Majesty
(the wall hangings were designed by
Sister Anthony Wilson SND
and made in the Cathedral Art Studio)
Back outside there's a view of one of the departments of Liverpool University. At the end of the street opposite, Hope Street, is the Anglican Cathedral which I walked to on another occasion.