Imagine ... Lennon's classic played on church bells

John Lennon had an uneasy relationship with religion. When at the height of his fame he suggested that the Beatles were bigger than Jesus he provoked uproar and public displays of record-burning in the American Bible Belt. Even the Vatican denounced him before eventually accepting his tortured apology.

So it is difficult to know what the late Beatle would have made of the Church of England's decision to ring out the tune of his most famous solo work, the anti-religion anthem "Imagine", from the bells of Liverpool Cathedral this summer. Rehearsals on hand bells will begin in March.

The 1971 song, which contains the lyric "Imagine there's no heaven, it's easy if you try, No hell below us, above us only sky", will be performed from the world's tallest bell tower, which is 100.89m (331ft) tall, as part of the Futuresonic Festival in May.

Lennon described it as "anti- religious, anti-nationalistic, anti- conventional, anti-capitalistic".

A cathedral spokesman said he saw no contradiction in performing the piece, as much anti-capitalistic as it is anti-religious, from Sir Giles Gilbert Scott's celebrated church because Lennon's passionate embrace of the peace movement chimed perfectly with Christian values.

He said: "We obviously took into consideration sensitivities surrounding the song's lyrical content. The cathedral has been very much at the heart of Liverpool's Capital of Culture celebrations and is delighted to embrace the city's artistic energy. The proposed performance will inspire thought as it yearns for peace in a broken and troubled world. We also anticipate that the performance will be a very moving and spiritual experience and will engage with all people including those who do not usually interact with places of worship."

The sonic power and towering symbolism of the performance is guaranteed. As well as being the furthest off the ground (67m above floor level) the 13 cathedral bells which weigh 16.5 tonnes and were built by local bell maker Thomas Bartlett, also lay claim to having the heaviest ringing peal anywhere in the world.

The festival director Drew Hemment, who founded Futuresonic in 1995, said: "When the idea of John Lennon's "Imagine" being broadcast over church bells was suggested I realised that it had to happen in Liverpool and the Anglican Cathedral would be the ideal partner. The cathedral's support for the project has been fantastic and reflects this city's famous tolerance and courage. This special event celebrates the unique spirit of Liverpool that runs through both the Cathedral and Lennon's secular message."

Lennon, who was murdered in New York in 1980 at 40, has given his name to Liverpool's airport and along with the rest of the Fab Four has helped spawn a lucrative tourist trail in the city.

He later looked back on his 1966 comments as a turning point in his career as the controversy finally persuaded him to give up touring at a time when he was growing increasingly disillusioned with fame and the hysteria which marred the Beatles' last performances.

He said: "I always remember to thank Jesus for the end of my touring days. If I hadn't said that The Beatles were 'bigger than Jesus' and upset the very Christian Ku Klux Klan, well, Lord, I might still be up there with all the other performing fleas! God bless America. Thank you, Jesus."

Ironically, it was at the garden fete of St Peter's Church in Woolton that he met Paul McCartney.