About Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary · Nashville, Tennessee
The Catholic Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a historic diocesan parish in the Germantown neighborhood of downtown Nashville, Tennessee, founded in 1859 by and for the city's German Catholic immigrants. It is best known today as the home of Nashville's Traditional Latin Mass community, designated by Bishop J. Mark Spalding in 2021 as the stably-assigned location for celebrations of the Mass and sacraments according to the liturgical books in use before 1970. The parish is also home to the Syro-Malabar Community of Nashville, who worship there in the Malayalam language, and welcomes worshippers from across Middle Tennessee and beyond.
- Established
- 1859
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary (Assumption)
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. S. B. (Bede) Price — 35th pastor, installed by Bishop Mark Spalding on August 15, 2019
- Diocese
- Diocese of Nashville
Why belong here
Assumption is a warm, growing historic parish where Catholics who love the Traditional Latin Mass can worship daily, where children are formed in the faith through the acclaimed Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program, and where three distinct liturgical traditions — Latin (both Low and High Mass), English, and the Indian Syro-Malabar rite in Malayalam — share one church home. With weekday daily Mass in Latin, Sunday Vespers, weekly Eucharistic Adoration with Benediction, a Gregorian-chant schola, and a flourishing calendar of parish groups from Children of Mary to the Legion of Mary and Confraternity of Christian Mothers, the parish offers a deeply Catholic rhythm of prayer, formation, and community in the heart of downtown Nashville.
Mass times at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 6:00 PM
- Sundays when Vespers are not held, 6:00 PM
- First Fridays 6:00 PM
Adoration times
- Thursday 6:00 PM (Holy Hour, concluding with Benediction)
- First Fridays 6:00 PM (Holy Hour, Benediction, Confessions and Holy Communion)
About the Parish
The Catholic Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a diocesan parish in the Germantown section of downtown Nashville. It serves as a territorial parish with the Mass and sacraments celebrated according to the liturgy promulgated by Saints Paul VI and John Paul II, and — by permission of the Bishop of Nashville — also celebrates the sacraments and sacramentals according to the Roman Ritual of the Usus Antiquior (the Traditional Latin Mass). The parish is also home to the Syro-Malabar Community of Nashville, who worship there in the Malayalam language every Sunday afternoon. The parish office is in the historic Buddeke House on the property, with the Sunday chapel in its ballroom.
- Address: 1227 7th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37208
- Phone: 615-256-2729
- Email: [email protected]
- Pastor: Fr. S. B. (Bede) Price, installed August 15, 2019
- Diocese: Nashville
History & Heritage
Founded in 1859 by German immigrants who had settled in North Nashville during the 1830s and '40s, Assumption was built on land sold by Dr. David T. McGavock for $5.00, with bricks reclaimed from Holy Rosary, Nashville's first Catholic church. Bishop Richard Pius Miles, the first Bishop of Nashville, dedicated the simple brick church on August 14, 1859, the Vigil of the Assumption. Over the decades the parish was served by diocesan priests, the Precious Blood Fathers (for about a quarter century), the Franciscan Fathers (about five years), and a Benedictine and a Dominican at various points. Its history is closely tied to that of the wider Germantown neighborhood, with German fraternal societies and German-language preaching central to parish life until World War I.
- Founded 1859; construction 1858; dedicated August 14, 1859
- Germantown neighborhood; built for Nashville's German Catholic immigrants
- First pastor during construction: Fr. Ivo Schacht (Flemish, preached in German)
- Civil War: church commandeered by Union troops in 1862
- Benedictine pastor Fr. Emmeran Bliemel later accused of smuggling medical supplies to the Confederacy
- National Register of Historic Places listing, 1977
- Two parishioners rose to become Archbishop (John A. Floersh) and Cardinal (Samuel Stritch)
Mass & Liturgy
Holy Mass is offered in three traditions at Assumption: the Traditional Latin Mass (Low and High), English (a Low Mass with Hymns), and the Syro-Malabar Rite in Malayalam. Weekday Low Mass in Latin is celebrated Tuesday through Friday at 7:00 AM; Mondays have no Mass. First Saturdays feature a Low Mass in Latin at 10:00 AM. Sundays include four Masses — three Roman-rite (Latin Low, English Low with Hymns, Latin High) and one Syro-Malabar Mass — plus Sunday Vespers at 6:00 PM. Note that special feasts, holy days, and First-Class feasts of the old calendar may move daily Mass to 6:00 PM.
- Sunday: 7:00 AM Latin Low, 8:30 AM English Low with Hymns, 10:00 AM Latin High, 3:30 PM Syro-Malabar (Malayalam)
- Tuesday–Friday: 7:00 AM Latin Low Mass
- Monday: No Mass
- First Saturday only: 10:00 AM Latin Low Mass
- Sunday Vespers at 6:00 PM in Latin
Faith Formation — Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Religious education at Assumption is built around the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS), a Montessori-based approach rooted in the Bible and the liturgy. The parish is unusual in offering all three CGS levels: a Level One atrium for ages 3–6, a Level Two atrium for ages 6–9, and a Level Three atrium for ages 9–12, plus a Confirmation class and an Apologetics book group for ages 14 and up. Classes meet on Sundays at 10:00 AM, September through May, in Father Bernard Hall. The parish also offers a separate adult faith-formation program led by Winston Davis, and sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation in cooperation with Bishop Spalding's office. All diocesan Safe Environment practices are followed, with Circle of Grace lessons available to interested families.
- Level I atrium: ages 3–6
- Level II atrium: ages 6–9
- Level III atrium: ages 9–12
- Confirmation class
- Apologetics book group: ages 14+
- Adult Faith Formation: Winston Davis, [email protected]
- Director of Religious Education: Amber Cuayo, [email protected]
Sacraments
Assumption prepares children for the sacraments through its Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program, though children prepared at Catholic schools or via Catholic homeschool curricula are also welcomed. First Reconciliation is celebrated individually when a child shows readiness (typically age 7+) and knows the Act of Contrition. First Communion for children 8 and older is celebrated on Corpus Christi Sunday at all Masses, with an outdoor procession between the 8:30 and 11:00 Masses. Confirmation is conferred by Bishop Spalding; in the Diocese of Nashville the usual age is 13. Baptism candidates contact the DRE and submit a baptismal certificate one month in advance. Weddings are coordinated through Karen Pagan, and Assumption has become a destination for Catholic weddings from across the region.
- Baptism
- First Reconciliation
- First Communion (age 8+, Corpus Christi Sunday)
- Confirmation (age 13, with the Bishop)
- Matrimony — Karen Pagan, Wedding Coordinator
Parish Life & Ministries
The parish describes its ministries under three broad categories: liturgical (choir, lector, altar server, Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist), social-justice (visiting the homebound, serving the poor, food pantry volunteering, St. Vincent de Paul Society), and community-building (youth ministry, men's and women's groups, the annual parish bazaar). The Children of Mary, Schola Sanctorum, Legion of Mary, and Confraternity of Christian Mothers are four named groups with their own leaders and meeting rhythms, and the parish welcomes new ideas for ministry.
- Children of Mary — girls ages 5–12; First Saturday meetings and processions
- Schola Sanctorum
- Legion of Mary
- Confraternity of Christian Mothers
- Altar Servers
- Youth Ministry
- Men's and Women's groups
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Homebound visitation
- Food pantry outreach
- Annual Parish Bazaar
Children of Mary
The Assumption chapter of the Congregation of the Children of Mary is open to all girls of the parish ages 5–12. Its vision is to raise saints who know, love, and serve the Lord through His Blessed Mother, and its mission is to foster devotion to Mary and total consecration to Jesus through Mary. The group meets on the first Saturday of each month (September through May) from 8:30 to 9:45 AM and celebrates First Saturday Mass together at 10:00 AM. Members wear the Miraculous Medal on a broad blue ribbon and lead the parish's processions and May Crowning.
- Open to girls ages 5–12
- Monthly First Saturday meetings 8:30–9:45 AM, followed by 10:00 AM Mass
- Members wear the Miraculous Medal on a blue ribbon
- Lead parish processions and May Crowning
- Part of the worldwide Family of St. Philomena
Men's Schola Cantorum
The Schola Cantorum sings the church's official prayer, Mass, and Divine Office in traditional Gregorian chant. Members learn the Church's ancient chants and gain proficiency in reading traditional Gregorian notation. The Schola rehearses on Tuesdays at 6:00 PM, sings the Sunday High Mass at 10:00 AM, sings other High Masses on holy days, first-class feasts, and the Triduum (generally at 6:00 PM), sings Vespers at 6:00 PM on Sundays, and serves weddings and funerals. Membership is open to men of the parish aged 16 and above who wish to deepen their relationship with Christ through song; no prior musical experience is required.
- Rehearsals: Tuesdays 6:00 PM
- Sunday High Mass: 10:00 AM
- Vespers: Sunday 6:00 PM
- Weddings and funerals as scheduled
- Open to men aged 16 and above
- Director: Bruno Valente ([email protected])
Music & Sacred Art
Nancy Sutton, PhD, serves as Director of Sacred Music, with Albennia Ladieu as Organist and Bruno Valente directing the Men's Schola. The parish places a strong emphasis on traditional liturgical music — Gregorian chant especially — alongside English hymnody at the 8:30 AM Mass. The recent Conrad Schmitt Studios restoration added new murals flanking the altar: angels, the crown of thorns, the scourging whips, a communion chalice with the Eucharist floating above it, and the Veronica veil with the Holy Face of Jesus. A new baptistry, finished with a ceiling painted to mirror the blue, star-filled ceiling of the nave, is reserved for the babies baptized there — each star sponsored in their honor.
- Director of Sacred Music: Nancy Sutton, PhD
- Organist: Albennia Ladieu
- Men's Schola: Bruno Valente
- New Conrad Schmitt murals around the altar
- New baptistry with star-filled ceiling echoing the nave
Getting Involved & Contact
The parish encourages newcomers to read the weekly bulletin and consult the parish calendar for the latest event and Mass information, and to follow the MyParish app for urgent updates and schedule changes. Anyone with an idea for a new ministry is invited to contact the parish office. Catechists and assistants for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program are especially needed.
- Parish bulletin and calendar for current events
- MyParish app for schedule changes and urgent updates
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 AM–4:00 PM; Fri 8:00 AM–4:00 PM (Sep–Mar) / 8:00 AM–12:00 PM (Apr–Sep)
- Office closed Sat–Sun
- Catechists and CGS assistants always welcome
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Ivo Schacht1859 (construction)
Flemish-born priest recruited by Bishop Miles; preached in German at the cathedral and oversaw construction of the first church.
- Fr. John Vogel1859
Succeeded Fr. Schacht during construction; saw the church completed and dedicated.
- Fr. Innocent Bergrath1860
Born in Rhenish Prussia; first regular pastor following his 1860 ordination.
- Fr. Emmeran Bliemel, O.S.B.1860s
Benedictine from Saint Vincent's Archabbey; served through the Civil War; the parish's green space is named in his honor.
- Fr. Edward Desmondearly 20th century
Returned the parish to diocesan hands; served as a diocesan delegate at the episcopal consecration of the young Bishop Stritch.
- Fr. William Fitzgerald, O.Praem.2010s
Norbertine canon who celebrated the weekly Latin Mass while it was still a special event at Assumption.
- Fr. d'Souzauntil spring 2014
Returned to India in spring 2014.
- Fr. Jerry Strange2014–2019
Took over as pastor of Assumption and St. Pius X; oversaw renovations that moved parish offices into the Buddeke House.
- Fr. S. B. (Bede) PriceAugust 15, 2019 – present
35th pastor; installed by Bishop Mark Spalding; led the parish through the 2020 tornado and pandemic; entrusted by Bishop Spalding in 2021 as his delegate for the Traditional Latin Mass.