Liverpool Cathedral is the Church of England Cathedral of the Diocese of Liverpool, built on St James’s Mount in Liverpool and is the seat of the Bishop of Liverpool. It may be referred to as the Cathedral Church of Christ in Liverpool (as recorded in the Document of Consecration) or the Cathedral Church of the Risen Christ, Liverpool, being dedicated to Christ ‘in especial remembrance of his most glorious Resurrection’.
The cathedral is based on a design by Giles Gilbert Scott. The total external length of the building, including the Lady Chapel (dedicated to the Blessed Virgin), is 207 yards (189 m) making it the longest cathedral in the world; its internal length is 160 yards (150 m). In terms of overall volume, Liverpool Cathedral ranks as the fifth-largest cathedral in the world and contests with the incomplete Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York City for the title of largest Anglican church building. With a height of 331 feet (101 m) it is also one of the world’s tallest non-spired church buildings and the third-tallest structure in the city of Liverpool. The cathedral is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building.
The Anglican Cathedral is one of two in the city. The other, the Roman Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral of Liverpool, is situated approximately half a mile to the north. The Cathedrals are linked by Hope Street, which takes its name from William Hope, a local merchant whose house stood on the site now occupied by the Philharmonic Hall, and was named long before either Cathedral was built.
Some interesting Liverpool Cathedral stats…
- Length: 188.7 m (619 ft)
- Area: 9,687.4 sq. m (104,275 sq. ft)
- Choir Vault: 35.3 m (116 ft)
- Nave Vault: 36.5 m (120 ft)
- Height of Tower: 100.8 m (331 ft)
- Under Tower Vault: 53.3 m (175 ft)
- Tower Arches: 32.6 m (107 ft)
- Bells: (height above ground) 67.0 m (219 ft)
- Bells: (weight) 31.5 tonnes (31 tons).