8 Most Beautiful and Awe-Inspiring Churches and Cathedrals in Tennessee

If you’re traveling to the “buckle” of the bible belt, there is a good chance you’ll pass by many awe-inspiring churches. For travelers inspired by gorgeous architecture, there is nothing like exploring an old cathedral or basilica. And for others who love educating themselves in the area’s rich history, a trip to a rustic chapel can be just as breathtaking. Consequently, for most tourists in the state, a trip to see one of the beautiful churches in Tennessee is a bucket-list activity.

Because these are places of worship, architects feel free to generously design the buttresses, stained glass, portals, and pulpits with symbolic images. Often, they incorporate Byzantine, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassical, and various Revival styles. Usually, the idea behind the design is to feel spiritually transported when entering the building, making for some of the most remarkable representations of what architecture can do.

So, when planning your tour of the beautiful churches in Tennessee, don’t miss one of these stunning examples of Southern architecture, both big and small.

Downtown Presbyterian Church in Nashville

Downtown Presbyterian Church in Nashville is a wonder to behold. Although, you might not even realize you’re in a church when making your way down its vast interior.

That’s because this unique church has an unexpected Egyptian motif. Locals even referred to it as the “Karnak on the Cumberland.”

Its towering stained glass windows reflect landscapes of desert and the Nile, dotted with palm trees and lotus flowers. It even has the ancient symbol of the sun-god Ra sprinkled throughout the decor.

The structure was built in 1814. The pyramid motif represents the Holy Trinity, according to records. In 1993, it became a National Historic Landmark because of its Egyptian Revival features.

Church Of The Assumption in Nashville

Constructed in 1858, the Church Of The Assumption is as decedent as it is awe-inspiring. It is the second oldest church in Nashville.

The current church was built with bricks using the first Catholic church in the city. It is currently a National Historic Landmark.

It’s never been a better time to visit this historic building. A tornado compromised the structure in 2020, and it recently completed revitalization. According to the Nashville Register, the “walls (now) feature a mystic rose and cross wainscot stencil, and the ceiling (is) painted a cerulean blue and decorated with paintings of a crescent moon and stars, representing the heavens in which the Blessed Virgin Mother was assumed.”

Immaculate Conception in Knoxville

In the 1850s, Irish Catholics built the Immaculate Conception in Knoxville to have their own house of worship. The Priest, an amateur architect, drew up the plans. Today, the church is one of the most magnificent in the city.

Featuring a Gothic Revival style, Immaculate Conception’s contrasting stones and grand clocktower steeple make it a stunning sight on the hillside.

Inside the church, the walls feature immense stained glass windows leading to the pulpit and lifesized statues.

Saint Mary of the Seven Sorrows in
Nashville

This Roman-styled church may look unassuming from the outside, but it houses a curious mystery inside. And for many that frequent the sacred space, it’s nothing short of a miracle.

Bishop Richard Pius Miles founded the church in 1844. He was beloved in his community, according to historical records. In 1860, when he died, he was buried beneath the altar, a common practice in the Catholic tradition. However, his casket was unearthed when the church was renovated in 1977, and his corpse was found miraculously “incorrupt” (showing no signs of decomposition) after 112 years.

This particular phenomenon indicates saintliness, according to Catholics.

Additionally, some Nashville residents claim the church bell of Saint Mary’s skips a chime at certain hours of the day—something they say is Bishop Richard Pius Miles making his presence known.

Whether you believe in the Bishop’s sainthood or not, the story is considerably awe-inspiring and makes this beautiful church in Tennessee more alluring.

Fisk Memorial Chapel in Nashville

Recognized as one of the most “Beautiful Places to Worship in the United States” by Architectural Digest, the Fisk Memorial Chapel isn’t only stunning to look at, but it also hosts a long history of notable guest preachers.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Booker T. Washington, and Jesse Jackson spoke here since its 1892 construction.

The exterior features a stunning steeple and high domed ceilings. One of its most remarkable characteristics is its extraordinary 40-rank Holtkamp pipe organ. The instrument claims to be one of Walter Holtkamp Sr.’s best works, estimated at $2.5 million.

Furthermore, the Victorian Society in America, the Tennessee Historical Commission, and the American Institution of Architects – Tennessee have given special awards to the church due to the historic restoration of the building.

Cades Cove Churches at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Townsend

Driving down the Cades Cove Loop in Great Smoky Mountain National Park might get you a glimpse of the Cades Cove Churches. These three historic structures were built as early as 1827.

Built with traditional white frames, the churches held small Baptist congregations. The most popular of the three is the Primitive Baptist Church, which resides beside a graveyard.

Old logs and a dirt floor make up the church buildings at the park. However, their structural ingenuity and carpentry skills have maintained the test of time.

Ripe with history and set in the backdrop of the Great Smokey Mountains, these beautiful churches in Tennessee are a must-see for anyone visiting the park.

St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral in Knoxville

St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral in Knoxville gathered inspiration from the breathtaking Romanesque churches of the 11th and 12th century France and Spain. And because of it, its old-world exterior feels like a trip to Europe.

It features massive, rustic stones and immense round arches above its painted red doorway.

According to Knox News, it’s been a landmark for the city since 1892.

At the foot of the altar area, a magnificent stained glass window overlooks the congregation. Wooden buttresses loom over the pews in Neo-Romanesque style.

For anyone interested in beautiful churches in Tennessee, St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral isn’t one you’ll want to miss.

St. Peter Catholic Church in Memphis

The St. Peter Catholic Church was built between 1852 and 1858. The structure introduced the Gothic Revival style to the city. It is the oldest surviving structure in Memphis and has a stunning design by prolific architect Patrick Charles Keely.

The church features octagonal towers at the main entrance and unusual windows, alternating in shape. The church is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Its grand stained glass windows date back from the 1900s to 1918. Over the main altar, the glass depicts St. Dominic receiving a rosary from the Virgin Mary, and another window features a kneeling WWII soldier.

The city of Memphis restored St. Peter Catholic Church between 1985 and 1991, and it has remained one of the premier tourist destinations of the town. St. Peter Catholic Church is a bucket list favorite for those who love beautiful churches in Tennessee.