Watch as we find out about the incredible events coming to Liverpool Cathedral during its centenary year

Liverpool Cathedral is celebrating its centenary year with a host of amazing events to ‘give back’ to the people of the city.

Although work began on the iconic building in 1904, it was officially consecrated 20 years later in 1924. 

And 100 years on, Paul Smith, director of enterprise at Liverpool Cathedral, says: “We wanted something spectacular for our centenary.

“Liverpool Cathedral was built by the people, for the people, and to the glory of God; so we wanted to do something special and give back to the people of Liverpool.”

The gothic-style cathedral – the largest in Britain and the fifth largest in the world – has already hosted a performance of Handel’s Messiah and held its Infinite Encounters art exhibition as part of the celebrations. 

But there’s still plenty of incredible things planned to celebrate the impressive milestone this summer, and beyond.

Anish Kapoor

Legendary British-Indian sculptor Anish Kapoor has captivated the art world for more than four decades with iconic works like Chicago’s Cloud Gate, and Svayambhu, a vast train of wax that squeezed through the rooms of the Royal Academy in London – and in August he is bringing his visionary works to Liverpool Cathedral.

Monadic Singularity is a once-in-a-lifetime show; his first solo show in a UK cathedral and major solo show in Liverpool since 1983. Featuring works spanning 25 years and including architecturally-scaled pieces never before seen in the UK, the landmark show will run from Saturday, August 10 to Sunday, September 15, with tickets available for exclusive late-night viewings and including a special tour of the show on Thursdays, August 15 and 22.

“Anish Kapoor is one of the world’s most important artists, so we felt that that would be a great gift to the people of Liverpool,” adds Paul. “In the last five or six years, we’ve worked very hard to bring an exciting array of cultural programming to the cathedral. For 2024, our centenary year, we wanted to take the programme up a notch or two.”

The People’s Centenary Service

On Sunday, July 21, at 3pm, there will be a special service for the 100th Anniversary of the Consecration of Liverpool Cathedral. The service is open to everyone and will include the performance of a new anthem, commissioned for the occasion by composer Will Todd.

Paul says: “It will be a big civic service and we will give thanks to the people who helped us build this place, and for the people who are going to continue to come through our doors and keep Liverpool Cathedral the vibrant place it is.”

The Light Before Christmas is coming back

The now much-loved festive light and sound show will be back at the cathedral this Christmas, with the nativity story yet again brought to life through a series of projections and specially-composed music from the artistic collaboration Luxmuralis.

Although more details of this year’s theme will be announced nearer the time, revealing its return in this special year, Paul says: “It’s become part of the Christmas calendar in Liverpool; we had about 30,000 people last year and the feedback we got was phenomenal.”

The cathedral has events and services throughout the year and welcomes visitors to those, as well as to its shop and the Welsford Bistro which, Paul explains, is a new business run by local people. “It’s regularly winning awards,” he adds, and is often praised for serving the ‘best Scouse in Liverpool’.

Visit the Liverpool Cathedral website HERE.