Christ Church Cathedral (Episcopal)

The Episcopal Church is rooted in the Anglican tradition of the Church of England. In Middle Tennessee, the first Episcopal service was held in 1829—led by James Otey of Virginia. Later that year, Otey came to Nashville, formed a congregation named Christ Church, and was named the first Bishop of the Diocese of Tennessee. In 1831, Christ Church was consecrated, making it the first Episcopal church edifice in the state. 

Construction of the building you see in front of you began in 1890—designed by New York architect Francis H. Kimball, known as the father of the modern skyscraper. Christ Church is considered the finest example of Victorian Gothic design in the city and is particularly noted for its sanctuary, which has a distinctive early English atmosphere. Much of the exterior sandstone came from Sewanee, Tennessee. Hallmarks of the Victorian Gothic style are visible through the stone work and gargoyles. The interior features a beautiful wooden altarpiece carved by Swiss-American Melchior Thoni Jr. The sanctuary also houses the only immersion baptismal pool in an Episcopal church in Tennessee. The only physical link to the original church building is the bell—today located in the chapel’s belfry.

When Christ Church Cathedral opened for services on December 16, 1894, an observer in attendance wrote, “After the clergy had passed down the aisle and taken their places, . . . the Hallelujah chorus was sung. It was an outburst of praise seldom equaled in this musical city.”

Fifty-five stained glass windows designed by artists from around the country surround visitors to Christ Church. Tiffany Windows in New York contributed two triptych windows, which are located on the east and west sides of the Nave. In 2003, a new organ was built and installed by the Lively-Fulcher Company of Washington, D.C. and contains over 3,000 pipes.

In 1969, the parish elected its first woman to the Vestry and in 1985, employed its first female priest as assistant rector. Christ Church is the home cathedral of the Diocese of Tennessee, and the parish has over 2000 members. The life of this church has come full circle, in a way. When Christ Cathedral moved in the 1890s, Ninth Avenue was considered a suburb, according to Dean and Rector Timothy Kimbrough. Now it is once again a downtown church serving not only the downtown community but also tourists in town for worship. Many Nashvillians who live in current suburbs also come here to worship. See the Christ Church Cathedral website for information on tours and service times, and if you’d like to learn more about the cathedral see our Woman’s Suffrage, Broadway Architecture, or New South Nashville tours.

From Ninth and Broadway, take a LEFT and walk along Broadway past the Southern Methodist Publishing House. When you get to Eighth Avenue South, take a RIGHT and cross Broadway. Continue on Eighth Avenue South for about half a block until you reach First Lutheran Church.