About The Catholic Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Nashville, Tennessee:
On August 14, 1859, the Vigil of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Bishop Richard Pius Miles dedicated a simple brick church to the honor of the Blessed Mother in North Nashville, an area populated by German immigrants called “Germantown”. Those immigrants who had gathered in North Nashville during the 1830’s and ’40’s, had dreamt of a church all their own; a church surrounded by German homes and businesses.
Soon, problems began to plague the newly constructed church. Assumption was found to have been built 10 feet over its boundary lines and so to accommodate, an adjoining lot was required to be purchased. With little income, the builders of the church were unable to be paid and so Assumption was nearly sold at auction to pay salaries. Coming to the rescue were two local families, the Buddeke and Wessel families. They provided for the community so creditors could be satisfied, and the church could begin to serve the community for which it was designed.
The Civil War soon came to Nashville, and the church was commandeered by Union troops in 1864. Upon their departure, little remained of the church’s acquired elements of worship and decoration. A singular silver paten was all that remained of the furnishing. Rebuilding and restoration soon began.
Built for Germans, there was found to be a dearth of German speaking priests and so sacraments were administered from the new cathedral, St. Mary of the Seven Sorrows. Still, the community maintained its German heritage and identity through parish picnics, Labor Day fundraisers, and German social activities.
During and after World War I, those of German ancestry were viewed with suspicion and outward signs of German culture were downplayed. The neighborhood slowly lost its German identity. Also, more efficient transportation led many to move further away from their jobs causing a gradual change in the makeup of the neighborhood dynamics.
In the 1920’s, Diocesan priest, Fr. Edward Desmond made many improvements, but it is thought that during this time, much of the decoration added by the Franciscans was painted over. Fr. Aaron T. Gildea served the parish in the late 1930’s on into World War II and its aftermath. There was an increase in converts and several organizations were established. But on the negative side, Fr. Gildea had to contend with severe storms in the 1940’s that caused costly damage to the steeple, the church and rectory roofs.
Families continued to leave, and the school was closed mid-year in 1961 with the remaining students transferred to St. Pius X school. For a few years, Fr. William Davis became pastor of Assumption with Fr. Dan remaining at St. Pius X church. Eventually, Assumption became a mission of St. Pius X and the few remaining parishioners were urged to join activities at the new church.
In 1970, Fr. Bernard Neidergeses became pastor of Assumption and St. Pius X. Some talked of closing Assumption but Fr. Neidergeses, a skilled woodworker, looked beyond the crumbling plaster, empty pews and broken windows. “…this is something great,” he said. “if it could be fixed up, it would be such a gem.” And so, just as a century before in the aftermath of the Civil War, rebuilding began.
The church was found to be structurally sound. A long-range renovation began with parishioners often doing work themselves. Stained glass windows were restored, the exterior brick was waterproofed, plaster repaired, and wiring was replaced. The bells in the bell tower were restored and again, the Angelus could be heard calling the faithful to prayer. A Hungarian artist, Sano Boda, began restoring the murals in 1977 revealing angels that had been painted over. That year, Assumption Church was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Starting in 1979, a few people showed interest in buying and renovating the old homes in the area. Later that year, Germantown was also listed as an historic district on the National Register of Historic Places. The old neighborhood, long dormant, slowly came back to life.
In the early 1980’s, the congregation dwindled to about 50 members, but they accomplished much. Assumption Church and the Monroe Street United Methodist Church across the street, with help from St. Pius X parishioners, hosted the first Oktoberfest on October 11, 1980. Originally a homecoming for those raised in the neighborhood, the event featured authentic German food, music, and dancing. Oktoberfest continued at Assumption until 2019.
Another annual event, the Searcy Memorial Thanksgiving Dinner, began in 1987 by parishioner Gerry Searcy. The program, named after her late sons, now serves nearly 2000 Thanksgiving meals to the poor, elderly, and shut-ins in the area.
To mark the church’s 125th anniversary in 1984, a new copper steeple was added. The steeple is a replica of the 1880’s design. Later, the space between the church and the school was converted into a meditation garden designed by former parishioner Michael Emirch. Ironwork was recovered from the Cathedral of the Incarnation’s renovation. Joseph Seigenthaler created a statue in honor of the German workmen who founded the parish showing St. Joseph in his workshop and Jesus handing his mother a carved dove. In 1994, organist Albennia Ladieu found a William James pipe organ which was contemporary with the design of the church. The organ was restored and placed in Assumption and still provides beautiful music for the congregation.
In 2000, the old school was renamed Father Bernard Hall in honor of Fr. Neidergeses’ 30th year as pastor and in appreciation for all he had done for the church and her people. More families came from all over the city to join the parish drawn by the traditional liturgy and devotions, reverence for the Eucharist, access to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and many other reasons.
The church offices and meeting rooms are now located in the Buddeke House on the lower floor and a ball room is located on the upper floor. The church soon became a destination for weddings for Catholics from all over. The Latin Mass (Tridentine Mass), once a monthly event, was celebrated every week by Fr. William Fitzgerald, a Norbertine monk. Assumption’s current pastor celebrates the Mass in Latin every day now. Additionally, the Syro-Malabar community worships at Assumption every Sunday afternoon.
The parish continued to grow but more serious structural problems plagued the church and other buildings on the property.
First, a devastating tornado struck on March 3, 2020 with the pastor retrieving the Eucharist from the unstable church in the middle of the night. The event made national news and donations poured in from all over the country. Daily Mass was held the day of the tornado and for approximately a week and a half by candlelight in Fr. Bernard Hall. . Eventually, Fr. Bernard Hall became Assumption’s daily chapel and the ballroom at the Buddeke House became the Sunday chapel. Repairs and restoration of the historic church continue. The church has served as the anchor in faith for generations of faithful through wars, economic hardships, tornadoes, global pandemics, and social upheavals. May we have the love, faith, and trust in God to be worthy caretakers of this treasure and beacon of God’s light and love.
Traveling to The Catholic Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Nashville, Tennessee:
Address: 1227 7th Avenue North, Nashville, Tennessee 37208
Tel: +1 615 256 2729
Email: Assumption1859@gmail.com