Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral

Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral is a stunning structure and an architectural marvel. Sitting proudly on one of Liverpool’s many hills, it offers visitors of all faiths and interests a moving and reflective experience.

Below, you can learn everything you need to know about the Metropolitan Cathedral, from opening times and parking to history, events, and how to visit.

Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral Address and Contact Details

The Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral is located at:

Cathedral House

Mount Pleasant

Liverpool L3 5TQ

Phone: 0151 709 9222

Email: enquiries@metcathedral.org.uk

You can find more details on their official website.

Opening Times and Mass Times

Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral is open daily from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM, welcoming visitors for services, events, and sightseeing.

Mass times are as follows, though it is always best to check the cathedral’s website for the most up-to-date information.

Weekdays

• 8:00 AM – Cathedral
• 12:15 PM – Crypt Chapel
• 5:00 PM – Sung Mass (Cathedral)
• 5:30 PM – Choral Evening Prayer on Fridays (term time only)

Saturday

• 9:00 AM – Cathedral
• 5:00 PM – Vigil Mass (Cathedral)

Sunday

• 9:00 AM – Cathedral
• 10:00 AM – Crypt Chapel
• 11:00 AM – Solemn Mass (Cathedral, also live streamed)
• 3:00 PM – Choral Evening Prayer (term time only)
• 7:00 PM – Crypt Chapel

Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession)

• Saturday: 9:30 to 10:30 AM and 3:30 to 4:30 PM
• Monday to Friday: After the 12:15 PM Mass

The History of Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral

Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, formally known as the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, is a striking modernist landmark with a fascinating history.

Although completed in 1967, plans for a Catholic cathedral in Liverpool date back to the 1850s. The first design, by Edward Welby Pugin, was halted due to financial constraints.

In 1933, architect Edwin Lutyens was commissioned to design an enormous cathedral with a dome even larger than St Peter’s Basilica. However, World War II and post-war financial challenges meant the project was never completed. Only the crypt was built, and it remains an important part of the cathedral today.

In the 1960s, a new vision emerged. Sir Frederick Gibberd won an international competition with a bold circular design inspired by the Vatican’s emphasis on greater participation in worship. His design brought the congregation closer to the altar.

The finished cathedral features its distinctive tent-like form, crowned by a vast stained-glass lantern made from 25,000 pieces of glass. This lantern gives the cathedral its colourful glow and its famous nickname, “Paddy’s Wigwam”.

The cathedral also houses the largest Catholic crypt in the UK and stands as a celebrated example of modernist architecture.

The Stained Glass Lantern

The stained-glass lantern is one of the cathedral’s most striking features.

Designed by artist John Piper and glassmaker Patrick Reyntiens, it sits within the conical structure at the top of the building. The lantern is made up of 25,000 individual pieces of glass in shades of red, blue, and purple.

Blue tones symbolise the sky and eternity, while reds and purples evoke sacrifice and spirituality. When sunlight pours through the glass, it creates an immersive and almost mystical atmosphere inside the cathedral.

It is one of the largest stained-glass structures of its kind and a defining feature of Liverpool’s skyline.

The Metropolitan Cathedral Crypt

The crypt is a remarkable remnant of Lutyens’ original 1930s design.

Completed in 1958, it showcases elaborate vaulted ceilings, intricate brickwork, and grand columns. It includes several chapels, such as the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, as well as the Treasury, where religious artefacts and historic items are displayed.

The crypt is known for its impressive acoustics and regularly hosts concerts, exhibitions, and special events. Visitors can explore independently or as part of a guided tour for deeper historical insight.

Parking Information

Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral offers an on-site underground car park, open daily from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM.

Parking fees are:

• £1.50 for the first hour
• £3.00 for up to three hours
• £6.00 for all-day parking

The car park has a height restriction of 7 feet 6 inches and includes designated spaces for disabled drivers.

Additional parking is available at the nearby University of Liverpool car park on Mount Pleasant, just opposite the cathedral.

Metropolitan Cathedral Events

Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral hosts a wide range of worship services and cultural events throughout the year.

Seasonal highlights include Christmas carol services, candlelit concerts, and festive celebrations featuring local choirs and school groups.

Music plays a central role in the cathedral’s programme. Regular events include Solemn Mass with visiting choirs, Choral Evening Prayer, and classical performances such as the Fauré Requiem.

For a full calendar of upcoming events, visit the cathedral’s official website.

Visit Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral

If you are eager to explore Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, you are in for a treat. A visit offers the chance to admire its sweeping interiors, colourful light displays, and striking architecture.

On our Liverpool Cycle Tours, you can also take in other must-see landmarks such as the Anglican Cathedral, St George’s Hall, Chinatown, and the Albert Dock.

The cathedral also features on our Liverpool walking tours.

For more inspiration, check out our guide to the best things to do on a day trip to Liverpool.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.

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