About Cathedral of the Incarnation · Nashville, Tennessee
The Cathedral of the Incarnation is the mother church and cathedral seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nashville, located at 2015 West End Avenue in Nashville, Tennessee. Designed by architect Fred Asmus in the Italianate style and built between 1907 and 1914 of limestone, it serves as both the bishop's church and an active parish for downtown and Midtown Nashville, including the university community near Vanderbilt University. The cathedral offers daily and Sunday Masses, regular confession, Eucharistic adoration, and a wide range of faith-formation, music, and outreach ministries under its current rector and pastor, Father John Hammond.
- Established
- 1914
- Patron
- The Incarnation of Our Lord Jesus Christ
- Rector
- Rev. John Hammond (Rector and Pastor; also Vicar General and Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Nashville)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Nashville (Roman Catholic)
Why belong here
The Cathedral of the Incarnation is the spiritual heart of the Diocese of Nashville — the bishop's own church — and functions as a warm, active parish in the heart of Midtown. Daily Mass (with multiple Sunday options), regular confession Monday through Thursday, weekday Eucharistic adoration, a robust choir and music program, faith formation for adults and children, and a particular ministry to the Vanderbilt University community make it an unusually rich place to worship, whether you live in Nashville full-time, work downtown, or are passing through on a visit.
Mass times at Cathedral of the Incarnation
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday: 4:30 PM – 5:20 PM (mid-August to mid-May)
- Tuesday: 4:30 PM – 5:20 PM (mid-August to mid-May)
- Wednesday: 4:30 PM – 5:20 PM (mid-August to mid-May)
- Thursday: 4:30 PM – 5:20 PM (mid-August to mid-May)
- Saturday: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Adoration times
- Monday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Thursday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Friday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Sunday: 7:00 PM – 7:45 PM (mid-August to mid-May)
History of the Cathedral of the Incarnation
The Cathedral of the Incarnation became the seat of the Diocese of Nashville when it was dedicated on July 26, 1914, replacing the older Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Seven Sorrows, which had served the diocese since 1847. Bishop Thomas Sebastian Byrne purchased the West End site near Vanderbilt University in 1902; a new rectory was finished in 1908 and the cathedral school shortly after, with the first floor of the school used for Mass while the cathedral itself was still being built. Architect Fred Asmus of Nashville designed the limestone Italianate structure, drawing on the Basilica of San Martino ai Monti in Rome for the overall plan and the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Damaso for the bell tower. Construction, which had begun in 1907, was completed in early 1914.
- Site purchased: 1902
- Architect: Fred Asmus (Nashville)
- Style inspiration: Basilica of San Martino ai Monti, Rome
- Bell tower: modeled on Basilica of San Lorenzo in Damaso, Rome
- Construction: 1907–1914 (groundbreaking 1907, building work through 1910)
- Dedicated: July 26, 1914
Renovations and Restoration
The cathedral has been renovated several times to keep pace with liturgical and pastoral needs. Bishop William L. Adrian's 1937 campaign replaced the original windows with painted art glass, enlarged the sanctuary and laid a composite floor. In 1987 the sanctuary was again extended — this time by about ten feet — prismatic glass windows were installed, the interior was repainted, and the floor was replaced with tile. The Diocese of Nashville launched a further interior restoration in March 2019, focused on repainting walls and restoring ornamental moldings.
- 1937: Painted art glass, enlarged sanctuary, composite floor (Bishop Adrian)
- 1987: Sanctuary extended 10 ft, prismatic glass windows, tile floor, repaint
- 2019: Major interior restoration – repainting and molding restoration
Faith Formation & Religious Education
As the diocesan cathedral, the parish runs faith formation programs for children and adults, including preparation for the sacraments and ongoing catechesis for parishioners and Vanderbilt-area students. Adult initiation (RCIA) is offered for those seeking to enter the Catholic Church.
- Children's religious education
- Adult faith formation
- Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
- Sacramental preparation (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation)
Choir & Music Ministry
Music at the cathedral is led by a parish choir and music ministry that serves the Sunday and weekday liturgies. Music is highlighted as a featured ministry on the parish's published profile, supporting the cathedral's wider liturgical life.
- Parish choir for Sunday and feast-day liturgies
- Music ministry supporting weekday and Sunday Masses
Clergy and Staff
The cathedral is led by its Rector and Pastor, currently Rev. John Hammond, who was installed by Bishop J. Mark Spalding on September 15, 2024. Father Hammond also serves as Vicar General and Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Nashville, and was the principal celebrant at the April 21, 2025 Mass offered for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis. Deacons assist at the cathedral's liturgies, including Deacon Joseph Ngo.
- Rector / Pastor: Rev. John Hammond
- Diocese: Bishop J. Mark Spalding, Bishop of Nashville
- Deacons: Deacon Joseph Ngo and additional deacons assisting at Mass
Location, Visiting and Contact
The Cathedral of the Incarnation is located at 2015 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203, in the Midtown / West End neighborhood directly adjacent to Vanderbilt University. Visitors and parishioners can reach the parish office at (615) 327-2330 or by email at [email protected]. The official website is https://cathedralnashville.org/. As the bishop's church for the Diocese of Nashville, it is a focal point for diocesan liturgies, ordinations, and special diocesan Masses.
- Address: 2015 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203
- Phone: (615) 327-2330
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: cathedralnashville.org
- Setting: Midtown Nashville, adjacent to Vanderbilt University
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John HammondInstalled September 15, 2024 – present
Installed as Pastor and Rector by Bishop J. Mark Spalding on September 15, 2024; also serves as Vicar General and Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Nashville.