liverpool metropolitan cathedral officially known seat mother church liverpool liverpool england grade metropolitan cathedral liverpool listed buildings distinguish locals nicknames building include funnel cathedral architect winner worldwide design competition construction began completed earlier designs cathedral proposed completed history design great irish famine catholic population liverpool increased dramatically half million irish predominantly catholic fled england escape famine embarked liverpool travel north_america remained city increase catholic population saw need cathedral location chose grounds domingo road bishop awarded commission building new cathedral lady chapel new cathedral completed financial resources diverted education catholic children work building ceased point lady chapel named served parish church local catholic population demolition 1980s design following purchase present acre site hill sir commissioned provide design appropriate response neo gothic anglican cathedral built hope street design intended create massive structure second largest church world world largest dome diameter feet compared feet diameter building work based design began monday june paid contributions working class catholics burgeoning industrial port restrictions world war wartime rising cost million million billion forced construction stop work finished design cathedral considered costly abandoned complete restored architectural model cathedral display scott reduced design ambitious design fell adrian brother architect commissioned work smaller cathedral design million budget million proposed scaled version building retaining massive dome scott plans criticised building ahead design present cathedral designed sir construction began october years later completed cathedral consecrated soon opening began exhibit architectural flaws led cathedral authorities million counts leaks aluminium roof defects mosaic tiles begun come away concrete ribs architecture concept competition design cathedral held requirement congregation later reduced able altar order involved celebration mass second incorporated structure achieved requirements designing circular building altar centre transforming roof elevated platform cathedral standing end construction contract let exterior cathedral built concrete portland stone aluminium covering roof plan circular having diameter feet perimeter shape cathedral conical tower shape truncated cone building supported shaped concrete held ring beams bends tops flying buttresses attached giving cathedral tent like appearance rising upper ring beam tower containing windows stained glass peak crown entrance wide flight steps leading hope street entrance large wedge shaped structure acts bell tower bells mounted rectangular tower geometric relief sculpture designed includes crosses sides entrance doors mitchell represent symbols steps lead cathedral completed building path acquired demolished developers smaller version cathedral designed sir constructed chapel lancashire catholic teacher training college site occupied education college chapel seen interior focus interior altar faces main entrance white marble feet long floor marble grey white designed benches concentric interior designed tower large areas stained glass designed colours yellow blue red representing trinity glass inch thick pieces glass concrete frames perimeter series open closed blank walls consists low space balcony opposite entrance organ include lady chapel chapel right entrance altar bronze altar designed crown like structure composed aluminium rods incorporates lights interior metal designed rice designed includes eagles chapel saint paul cross stained glass designed designed carved painted lady chapel contains statue stained glass stained glass small statue risen christ chapel saint thomas bronze mosaic hungarian artist george mayer moved demolished gates designed structural problems cathedral built quickly economically led problems fabric building including leaks programme repairs carried 1990s building faced mosaic tiles impossible repair replaced glass reinforced plastic gave thicker appearance aluminium replaced steel slate paving platform replaced concrete flags cathedral built according design construction stopped world war design built structurally built brick granite cornwall year plays host attracts visitors britain places united_states australia hosts examinations students exam periods refurbishment million refurbishment completed officially opened year duke gloucester refurbishment included new east west approaches archive provision new lighting catering facilities new chancel new toilets revamped exhibitions organ built sons organ completed days opening cathedral integral new cathedral architect saw brief designed striking organ decorative inspired innovative use pipes arranged shiny pipes brass contrast concrete pillars surround organ specifications organ speaking stops pipes works way air pressure controlled electric current operated keys organ console opens closes wind allowing pipes speak type motion called electro action gallery
Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral