Frederick Gibberd was the architect who won the competition for the design of the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Liverpool. As I understand, he queried why so many of his staff were not staying on as they usually did in the evening - he was told "because of the competition". When told about the work, he decided there and then to enter - the rest is history.

As always in a project of this importance, various designs were submitted by me for the bell tower, porch and all the doors. Illustration No. 1 is such a design, which symbolised the resurrection. On showing it to Freddie, he remarked that it was "rather busy". I stated that the Resurrection was going to be busy - but this design was rejected and figure No. 2 was accepted. This symbolised the crosses on Calvery. The right-hand cross describes the thief who repented and who stated his belief in Christ and his teaching. The Crown is the Crown of Christ the King. All the stonework carving is related to the New Testament, and the bronze doors relate to the Old Testament.

The Book of the Prophet Ezekiel.

Also out of the midst therefore came the likeness of four living creatures.
And this was their appearances: they had the likeness of a man.
And everyone had four faces and everyone had four wings.
And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot and sparkled like the colour of burnished brass.
And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and the four had their faces and their wings.
Their wings were joined one to another they turned not when they went; they went everyone straight forward.
As for the likeness of their faces the four had the face of a man and the face of a lion, on the right side; and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.
Thus were their faces; and their wings were stretched upwards to wings of everyone were joined one to another and two covered their bodies.

Revelation 4 - John the Divine

And round the throne were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
And the first beast was like a lion and the second beast like a calf; and the third beast had a face as a man and the fourth beast was as a flying eagle.
And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him and they were full of eyes within.
They rest not night nor day saying Holy, holy, holy.
Lord God Almighty: which was and is, and is to come.

These beasts symbolised the four apostles - Matthew - Mark - Luke and John. A fitting entry, symbolising the link between the Old and New Testaments.

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Together we did the job!

Consecration Day was to be a tremendous occasion, everybody dressed in their best. Houses were painted in papal colours, paper garlands were formed into fat swags to drape under windows and over doors. Slogans such as "God Bless Our Pope" described an emotive and generous time - in fact it was more exciting outside than inside.



I should state that the occupiers did not own the properties they decorated.