City invited to celebrate centenary in special Liverpool Cathedral service

Liverpool Cathedral is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its consecration with a special People’s Centenary Service.

Everyone in the city is invited to attend the event, at Liverpool Cathedral, which will be held on Sunday, July 21 at 3pm.

Bishop of Liverpool, The Rt Revd Dr John Perumbalath, says: “I am looking forward to celebrating the centenary of Liverpool Cathedral with its congregation, our diocese, city and region.

“This is not merely a celebration of past glories; it is a wonderful moment to consider what our cathedral means for so many in the community.”

He adds: “Our cathedral talks about being for the people and in so many ways it lives this out being there in the city’s moments of joy and sorrow, contributing to our tourism economy, and serving those in need through Micah Liverpool (the cathedral’s food poverty charity).

“It is a spiritual heartbeat of the city and region, serving as the mother church of our vibrant diocese, and it will be great to be part of a magnificent day of celebration.”

The service will reflect on 100 years of serving God, art, music, culture, and more.

The awe-inspiring cathedral – the largest in Britain and the fifth largest in the world – was consecrated on July 19, 1924, in the presence of King George and Queen Mary.

For the past 100 years, it has stood as a ‘beacon of spiritual admiration’, touching the hearts of generations through its services, from traditional ceremonies to intimate gatherings and significant events. Liverpool Cathedral has been a constant source of solace and inspiration for those seeking a connection, and the backdrop for events that have left a lasting impression on the people of Liverpool.

Cream Classical at Liverpool Cathedral — Liverpool Cathedral. Credit: Gareth Jones

Liverpool Cathedral has also been a dynamic canvas for artistic expression, showcasing installations that have pushed the boundaries of creativity, from Peter Walker’s mesmerising Peace Doves to the forthcoming exhibition Monadic Singularity by the world-renowned Anish Kapoor.

And while the People’s Centenary Service will focus on the last 100 years and its achievements, it will also look excitedly to the future.

The Very Revd Dr Sue Jones, Dean of Liverpool, continues: “Everyone is welcome to come and be part of this celebration. As a place of encounter, built by the people for the people to the Glory of God, we wish to encounter and celebrate with the people of Liverpool.”

And she says: “So please come to the People’s Centenary Service.”

Officials say the city-wide celebration and commemoration is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a part of Liverpool Cathedral’s history and part of its ongoing journey, as they embrace the next chapter of this iconic landmark.