O Magnum Mysterium

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The cathedral and its musicThe Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King (usually known as Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral)is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Liverpool and the seat of the archbishop of Liverpool. Sometimes known locally as “Paddy’s Wigwam” or the “Mersey Funnel”, it is oneof Liverpool’s many listed buildings.

The cathedral’s architect, Sir Frederick Gibberd (1908–84), was the winner of a worldwide design
competition held in 1959. The two major requirements were for a congregation of 2,000 to be able to see the altar, in order that they could be more involved in the celebration mof the Mass, and for the earlier Lutyens crypt to be incorporated in the structure.

Gibberd achieved this by designing a circular building with the altar at its centre, and by transforming the roof of the crypt into an elevated platform, with the cathedral standing at one end. Work started in 1962 and the completed cathedral was consecrated less than five years later, on the feast of Pentecost, 14 May 1967.

Historically, music has played an important part in the life of the Catholic Church, and since 1958 in the metropolitan cathedral, when a choir of men’s voices to sing in the Crypt was formed by Canon Edward Murphy. In 1960 a boys’ choir was established under the direction of Christopher Symons and amalgamated with the men’s choir.

Since then music has been at the heart of the worship in the metropolitan cathedral. Today, the cathedral music department is responsible for providing music at ten services every week in term time, plus numerous extra services when called upon to mark a particular occasion. This work is shared between the cathedral’s choirs and organists under the guidance of the director of music.