Blackburn has been a Christian site since the 5th century, yet it is home to one of England's…read morenewest and smallest Cathedrals. This remarkable building is a mixture of Victorian and late 20th century architecture, and possesses an impressive array of modern religious art. History A church was recorded in Blackburn, possibly on the same site as the Cathedral, as early as 596AD. The parish church of St Mary the Virgin was erected in Norman times and enlarged throughout the mediaeval period, but the expansion of Blackburn in the 19th century resulted in a completely new church being erected on the site in 1820-26, designed by John Palmer. In 1926 the Diocese of Blackburn was formed and the church became elevated to Cathedral status. Plans were put in place to enlarge it so that it could perform its new duties, and work began in 1938, but was not completed until the 1960s. The distinctive lantern tower (in the shape of a crown) was designed by Lawrence King after the death of the original architect W A Forsyth. The Church The tower and nave survive from Palmer's original church, and are in the decorated Gothic style. For its date, these are remarkably faithful to the mediaeval form. The transepts, chapels and chancel are in a more spare 20th Century Gothic, but the lantern, with its slender aluminium spire, is unashamedly modernist. Inside the church, the immediate impression is one of space and light: all the glass in the nave is clear, and the interior is whitewashed throughout. The rib vaults of Palmer's elegant nave and aisles are picked out in gold and red, to stunning effect. Furnishings are mostly modern: the high altar is situated beneath the lantern, surmounted by a corona (hanging crown) and on the west wall is the huge sculpture of Christ the Worker; both are by John Hayward, who also designed the striking stained glass of the lantern and south transept window. The only old furnishings are a set of 15th century misericords in the north transept, thought to have come from Whalley Abbey. The west window in the south transept also has some fragments of mediaeval glass. The church has a number of other modern religious sculptures and paintings. Beneath the church is a crypt with a very popular café. The church is open to visitors daily, and has a daily cycle of services (see website).

I had a couple of hours to kill with a 4-year-old in Blackburn (we'd come a fair way to Waves, an…read moreexcellent local swimming-pool, but had misread the opening times) -- what could we do? Blackburn Cathedral was a God-send, perhaps literally! There weren't many other people around but we were made to feel very welcome, and there was certainly enough for an inquisitive 4-year-old to look at and learn about. Then we went downstairs into the crypt for some refreshments -- and they were excellent, with again very friendly service. The volunteers/staff there couldn't have made us feel more welcome, even giving the 4-year-old a free postcard as we left. I cannot speak highly enough of this place and would warmly recommend a visit -- whether or not you've misread some opening times!

This is a wonderful, relatively modern church, serving the Bewsey, Dallam and Whitecross areas of…read moreWarrington. The church itself is a large rectangular building, very solid and comforting, with a very modern addition in the shape of a new foyer/entrance and meeting room added onto the old entrance. This was possibly the first church anywhere around the area to appoint a female vicar. Just as in The Vicar of Dibley, the parish council weren't overjoyed at the idea, but took it on board anyway. This was further reflected in the the chairman of said PCC, a confirmed bachelor, subsequently marrying the Reverend Karen! They have had many happy years together now, but are expecting to be moved on at some time, as happens with relatively young clergy. The church has very strong links with the highly successful, well-regarded primary school in its name. For those wishing to visit, the church is very easy to find, on-street parking is possible in the surrounding area and the vicarage is next door. The stained glass is very illuminating (sorry!), but not spectacular.

Although it's mentioned in the Domesday Book as totalling the mighty cost of 64 pence, Wavertree…read morenever really saw much interest from outside punters until the 1790s, when rich merchants realised its attractive potential as a place to live. I'm sure it was nicer at the time. Constructed in 1794, Holy Trinity Church's purpose was to allow all these men of business to talk to God without having to travel all the way to Childwall. The overspill from this in turn led to the building of St Bridget's on Bagot Street. Churches apparently breed asexually. Inside, the place is pretty bare and unspectacular. It obviously had some charm however as Sir John Betjeman, famed hater of Slough, described it as 'Liverpool's best Georgian church'. What an honour. Oh, but if you want a corpse buried, don't try this graveyard. It's full.

St Clement's church in Toxteth is a small but well preserved example of a 19th century revival…read morechurch, built in the style of a 'preaching box'. It is a grade II* listed building. The foundation stone was laid on 7th May 1840 and the church was consecrated a year later. Built in the lovely local red sandstone, the exterior is in a handsome but restrained Early English gothic style, with a small conical bell turret at the west end. However, the exterior doesn't really prepare you for the inside as, although there is plenty of gothic detailing (especially in the roof trusses), the overwhelming impression is that of a nonconformist chapel rather than a church: the nave is filled with box pews, still with their original numbers; there is only the merest hint of a sanctuary, and the east end is dominated instead by a double-decker pulpit. The walls have generous galleries, supported by elegant cast iron columns which rise up to the roof trusses, giving the impression of a hammer beam roof, although the weight is borne on the columns. The resulting effect is one of a surprisingly large and bright space for such a small building. The east end windows are filled with simple but bright stained glass. The area immediately around the church includes some sadly derelict land, and the church is need of some interior restoration, but is nevertheless well worth a look. Services are in a low but inclusive evangelical style, with a small but loyal and welcoming congregation.

My great grandparents were married in St Clement's Church in the parish of Walton-on-the-Hill (I…read moreassume that parish was very big) on 10 March 1989. It looks an interesting church. A pity it is currently closed.

This is a lovely small church with a great atmosphere and a lovely priest. My cousin is Deaf and…read morethe priest has learnt some British Sign Language and does it during the main parts of mass so that my cousin can take part. The only drawback to this church would be if you wanted to get married it doesn't have a centre aisle so can look at bit strange with the bride walking down one side of the church. However, my nan solved this problem by having a double wedding!!

I live by this Church and I am afraid I have found the attitudes of the father and the parishioners…read moretowards the residents of Heath Street and the community in general, is one of rudeness and contempt, unless you are a member of this church. Residents would quite often find notes on their cars reprimanding them if we dared to park on the churches land, even if there wasn't a service on or another car in sight! No give and take or community spirit. People living in the area of St Austins Parish and it's adjoining school have had to put up with much disruption from all the construction work being carried out for St Austins school next door. We've had double yellow lines imposed on us that only the residents of Heath Street seemed to have adhered to as the vast majority of the Parishoners, construction workers and HGV wagons etc. ignore the DOUBLE YELLOW LINES and park on them Also the parishioners and construction vehicles also seem to think they have the right to drive down Heath Street which was conveniently made into a one way street, the wrong way! to access the Church and the construction site. And now with what seems a very mean spirited and uncaring attitude, after many, many years of people and children in the community around Thatto Heath using the grassed land off Govett Road to play on, walk their dogs on, use as a short cut through to other areas of Thatto Heath and also people using it to gain as access to get to their allotments have now had this taken away from them -A very large chunk of this field has been completely blocked off and taken for a school field that will probably get used 2 - 3 times a year. Where was the community spirit? As small walk way for people to still cut through the exisiting land to still play on, access allotments and walk their dogs on what is left, would have been much appreciated by many people. I am sorry but after living 6 years by this church, I will be glad to move when I can.

The metropolitan church to be honest the outer building was a lot to be desired, dark, imposing,…read morethreatening even but like the bible says we walk from darkness into light and what a light it was, honestly as I stepped through the door I was illuminated in light and colour like strobe lights in a nightclub all around it was fantastic and breathtaking. It was modern and inviting, it was far more than a church, it was an experience.

Stunning modern cathedral, makes for a great comparison to the historic Anglican Cathedral that's…read morejust a 10 minute walk away. Very impressive, beautifully designed and lavish modern cathedral. I'm not a huge fan of "contemporary" church architecture - instead, I favor the (neo)-Gothic, Roman etc. cathedrals. But even I must confess that I found the Metropolitan Cathedral to be intriguing and spectacular - if maybe a tad cold in atmosphere (It was empty when I visited). There are a lot of fascinating details though, and it certainly invites comparison to the similarly spectacular, but otherwise completely different, historic Anglican Cathedral that is just a 10 minute walk away. A visit to BOTH is a must when in Liverpool. Free entry and free photography.

A beautiful old church in the heart of Wigan (in more ways than one!). It is, as you might expect,…read moresteeped in history -- almost as much as the old rectory, Wigan Hall, a fantastic historic building tucked away on the other side of the bus station. When it's open, it's well worth wandering in, admiring the architecture, or just sitting to reflect or pray -- there's something very powerful about doing so in a place where so many people done the same for hundreds of years in the past. All in all, therefore, well worth a visit if you're in Wigan.

I have fond memories of this chuch from when we used to go with school. It is a beautiful church…read moreboth inside and out. I dont go as often as I should these days but I walk through the grounds frequently and they are always perfectly cared for.

St Mary's Church is a listed building and was built in 1812. It is very beautiful inside especially…read morewhen the sun shines through the fabulous stained glass windows, the colours are splendid. To get there - local buses are 79's 78, 7 and many more from Queens Square, ask for Edge Hill Church. Edge Hill Railway Station is nearby about 10-15 minutes walk from Tunnel Road down Wavertree Road to Irvine Street. The entrance to the church is on Irvine Street almost opposite the Bears Paw Pub and Williamsons Tunnel entrance in the students accommodation. St Mary's Church has closed temporarily while the roof work is underway. Services are being held jointly with St Cyprian's Church at Kensington Junior School, Brae Street, off Edge Lane Quorn Street. Sundays10.45am normally, but subject to occasional change. Best to ring the vicar on the phone number on this business page if you want to check.