This is post is exclusively ranking by aesthetic, not theological validity.
A converted Baptist megachurch across from Opry Mills. Bland, but they at least put some effort by adding a cheap-looking screen with pretty pictures on it. I'd like the diocese to eventually buy Christ Church, which is arguably the most beautiful church in town, but that's pretty much all the Episcopalians have going for them so maybe we should let them have it.
Another converted Baptist church. The mauve columns and pediments might trick one into thinking it’s pretty, but the overall design is more indicative. Its ressurectionifix has thankfully been replaced by a Crucifix. Overall it’s like the previous entry with a more humble, quaint charm. I have to respect the bold kitsch of the giant rosary: proof Nephilim can be saved.
21. ST. STEPHEN CATHOLIC COMMUNITY
Old Hickory
This relatively modern church has some extremely cringe liturgy featuring a combination of guitar music and TR-808-style beats. Architecturally it looks typical of modern church: tasteful on the outside and strange on the inside. I like the turquoise color for the frieze, but it definitely crosses a line with its choice of font. I have mixed feeling about the Stations of the Cross: on one hand, the colors are vibrant and the emotionality is visceral, but they are somewhat kitschy, and the Roman soldiers appear to be wearing silver-painted cardboard boxes like children.
Appropriately named for its location. It’s an awkward modernist church with some noble effort to add some reverent traditional aesthetic. Unfortunately, they use offset flatscreens in lieu of missals.
Another bland postmodernist church. They recently added a beautiful high altar, but it clashes with the architecture, and the now redundant hanging crucifix (I’ve never liked those) partially blocks the view of it. Once again, valiant attempts to traditionalize a modern church whose awkward layout and drywall construction demands a complete reskinning. Even a minimalist design would be helped with a few adornments if not for the structure.
Brentwood
It’s a good sign that it was built to accommodate a growing Catholic community in Brentwood, but it’s typical modern with the typical awkward layout to go with it. I do like the angular wooden roof, though. It was not without reason that the Church encouraged the basilica format for so long. Though there have been some improvements lately.
17. CHURCH OF THE KOREAN MARTYRS
An interesting modern church with an Eastern flair. It also hosts a Byzantine-rite community.
I love the humble split-level stone building and the beautiful altar, but the drop-down roof brings the look down.
A solid design. It’s interesting that the screen behind the altar seems to change colors depending on the liturgical vestment, but it awkwardly stops near the bottom. Unfortunately, they seem to use offset flatscreens.
Madison
A relatively creative design for a modern church with some atmosphere. My only major complaint is the strange linoleum airport sculpture behind the crucifix and the cold stone wall flanking the sanctuary.
I like A-frame churches, and the design is tasteful. It was improved greatly by moving the tabernacle to the center and putting the hanging crucifix on the wall. However, the side aisles have an ugly drop-down ceiling overhead with fluorescent panels (the AC has to be accessed somehow), which was particularly annoying before they moved the tabernacle, and the cold stone walls clash slightly with the warm brick/wood motif. Strangely enough, the school library looks more like a church. Not the biggest fan of the orangish brick.
This small high school chapel is a good example of tasteful minimalism done right.
Vanderbilt’s interfaith chapel (I'm still including it on the list) is the type of modernist design I love, even though most people have more tolerance for bland Postmodern churches for reasons I’m apparently too eccentric to understand. It’s unpopular, but I like the style of stain-glassed window and the layout is a good one.
Another old-style church. It’s a bit bare-walled, but it has good atmosphere and an impressive baptismal font.
A nice traditional church, and a hidden gem for those trying to avoid the holiday Mass rush.
One of the few Modernist renovations that I think is an improvement. The layout is semicircular, but the tabernacle was placed in a site of focus and honor. They exterior design is unique, but I wish they had not used that orange brick that was in vogue during the 50’s. The crowning achievement is the stain-glassed windows.
A great exterior design with an interior that combines Southern charm and Catholic aesthetic. Recent renovations have improved the church greatly, and the tabernacle is back where it should be. I’m not the biggest fan of the sky mural behind the crucifix, and I have mixed feelings over the recent whitewashing.
One of the older churches. American gothic style, but not one of the best examples. A little light on the color and it looks a little bare. Fortunately, an upcoming renovation will improve this greatly.
4. ST. MARY OF THE SEVEN SORROWS
The oldest church in Nashville, designed by Adolphus Heiman (despite often misattributed to William Strickland). A beautiful, classic design.
The most uniquely styled church in Nashville. Great atmosphere. Despite its medieval inspiration, it’s the closest we have to a Brutalist church (then again limestone is organic cement). Gotta love the bold move of placing a giant crown over the crucifix.
One of the few traditional Catholic churches here that’s competitive by a national standard.
1. CATHEDRAL OF THE INCARNATION
Before the 2019 renovation I would have ranked this much lower. But moving the tabernacle back to the center and giving it a new paint job, which used a more appealing color palette (from bronze and pink to bright blue and gold) while filling in some blank space, definitely put the church in a competitive field with the rest of the country. The tabernacle was finally moved back to the center. The columns now have a faux-granite paint job, but it works. This was the first I’ve heard about wreckovations, since I’ve always been shocked by how much of a downgrade the 1987 renovation was, but it was apparently a relatively innocuous one.
Maybe I'll do a complete list of beautiful churches in Nashville later.
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