Last time we visited Liverpool I was only able to take a photo of the facade from the car as we drove passed Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. It stands on raised ground and it can be seen easily against the skyline. This time our apartment was located nearby and so I was able to walk to the cathedral whilst the rest of the family went to the another place that was also near where we were staying.
It's an impressive building from the outside, but nothing prepared me for the vastness of the space within. The first thing I did was to sit in the nave, take everything in and read the general guide book to decide where to go. I had also bought a booklet about the stained glass, which is something that interests me. My photos cannot do justice to this amazing building.
Today I'll take you to the Lady Chapel which is located at the far end of the nave, but easy to miss as it's down a flight of steps. A few groups were coming and going, but it really was a peaceful chapel with much to appreciate. I didn't want to disturb those who were sitting in prayer so I can only give an impression through the few photos I took.
The Lady Chapel was completed in 1910 and may reflect the influence of the architect, G.E. Bodley,
who assisted the chief architect of the cathedral, Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. The original stained glass in the Lady Chapel was destroyed in 1940 during WWII and the restored windows, re-using the original theme; the celebration of the role of women in the history of the Church.
The Lady Chapel was completed in 1910 and may reflect the influence of the architect, G.E. Bodley,
who assisted the chief architect of the cathedral, Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. The original stained glass in the Lady Chapel was destroyed in 1940 during WWII and the restored windows, re-using the original theme; the celebration of the role of women in the history of the Church.
Looking towards the altar
The carved panel above the altar is covered
by two wooden doors during the season of Lent.
The carved panel above the altar is covered
by two wooden doors during the season of Lent.
The 15th century figure of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the work of Giovanni della Robbia. The Christ Child was commissioned in 2002 in memory of the Dean of the Cathedral at the time.
The carved panel depicts scenes from the life of Christ.
(photo taken from the information board in the chapel)
The stained glass windows depict holy women through the ages.
One of the carved angels
In the empty chapel - looking towards the end of the nave there's the organ and viewing gallery accessed by stairs that lead back into the main cathedral.
A carved memorial plaque reads "To build greatly and to cause good music to resound here was very dear to the heart of Helen Swift Neilson of the United States of America 1869 -1945"
The carved WWI memorial plaque reads "Let us remember many honourable women 1914-1919.
They counted not their lives unto death"
At the west end of the Lady Chapel and on the staircase are the 'Noble Women' windows featuring portraits of women famous for their heroism. Among them are Julian of Norwich, the medieval mystic, Christina Rossetti, the poet, Elizabeth Fry, the prison reformer. Some have a strong Liverpool connection; Kitty Wilkinson, Josephine Butler and Catherine Gladstone. The original windows had been gifted by the Liverpool Diocesan Girls' Friendly Society for installation in 1910. However, as previously mentioned, they were badly damaged during the Second World War, but restored in 1951 with some of the portraits being replaced with new glass. Photographs and original drawings were used as source material for the reproduction windows. Other reproduced portraits incorporated salvaged glass from the originals.
Here is a closer look at one depicting
the poet Christina Rossetti.