On 5 February, a special plaque was unveiled to honour Frederick Luytens and Edwin Gibberd, the two architects of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King.

Lutyens was responsible for designing the Cathedral Crypt, while Gibberd designed the main Cathedral, which was completed and opened in 1967.

The occasion was celebrated with sung Mass in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, with Archbishop Malcolm McMahon as the main celebrant, with Cathedral Dean Monsignor Anthony O’Brien among those concelebrating.

The Mass was very well attended; the seating area in the chapel was full, and some had even gathered on the outer seats in the main chapel.

Also in attendance were the Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, Mark Blundell, and Cllr Richard Kemp, Lord of Mayor of Liverpool, as well as representatives from the Luytens Trust and the Gibberd Architectural Practice.

During the homily, Archbishop Malcolm spoke of the importance of having a place to proclaim the good news.

“What we’re commemorating this evening is the work of two men who, through their inspiration and their skills and their training, have left us here in Liverpool with a very great legacy.

“A wonderful cathedral and a wonderful crypt, which could have been the cathedral, and is probably bigger than many cathedrals, certainly in the Catholic Church in England and Wales.”

Following the Mass, attendees gathered at the Cathedral’s main entrance, where the plaque is now displayed. Monsignor O’Brien, Cathedral Archivist Neil Sayer, and plaque designer Nick Robinson each spoke, before the plaque was unveiled and blessed with holy water by Archbishop Malcolm. Guests then had the opportunity to take photos and reflect on the enduring legacy of the Cathedral’s architects.