About Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Nashville, Tennessee:
Founded in 1953, Saint Joseph has long since been a home for the community just north of Nashville. In 2018 EOA began the interior and exterior restoration of St. Joseph’s Church, bringing together many artisans to restore the sanctuary back to its former glory. The church was originally designed in the German Romanesque style, over a 14 year period from 1870 to 1884. With some High Victorian Gothic influence, brick Lombard Arcades are featured near the cornice and gabled west front. Originally, the church included a 142-foot bell tower centered over the main entrance. The original bell tower was destroyed by a tornado in 1923 and replaced by the current 87-foot bell tower structure which is of similar construction to the main walls of the church.
In previous years, the interior walls and ceilings of the church had been painted out all white covering the original ornate design. EOA Architects has partnered with Conrad Schmitt Studios Inc. of New Berlin, Wisconsin to take on the challenge restoring the interior to its previous grandeur.
EOA partnered with St. Joseph Catholic Church, Scott, Murphy, & Daniel, and EMC Structural Engineers to address needs of structural & envelope repairs, waterproofing, and exterior restoration.
Every surface from floor to ceiling has been renewed. The design, developed and executed by the designers and artists of Conrad-Schmitt Studios in New Berlin, Wisconsin, accentuates the architectural features of the 140 year-old building while honoring the German-Catholic heritage of the parish.
The renovation also included the cleaning and conservation of the eight, large paintings that adorn the walls of the nave. The paintings depict scenes from the life of Christ and were painted by Father John Sliemers, who was pastor at Saint Joseph in the early 1900s.
Photos courtesy eoa archtects
Adjacent to the church is the DeVries Parish House, named after the first priest appointed to the church in 1858. It was constructed in 1867 and has a Romanesque capitals and cornice. The front walls have recessed masonry panels with brick dentils under the cornice. It recently underwent a complete interior renovation.
In May 2025, The Most Reverend J. Mark Spalding, Bishop of Nashville, celebrated Holy Mass to mark the reopening of the church.
Traveling to Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Nashville, Tennessee:
Address: 1225 Gallatin Pike S, Madison, TN 37115
Phone: +1 (615) 865-1071
Click here for the official website of Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Nashville, Tennessee