Located on rural pastureland, the Catholic Church of the Nativity was designed to reflect both its pastoral surroundings and its namesake—the original Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. The building adopts a cruciform plan, with a central nave and transepts beneath a prominent roof form, flanked by side aisles housing support spaces. Clerestory windows bring natural light into the worship space, reinforcing a vertical connection to the heavens.
Set within a grove of trees and oriented perpendicular to a sloped hillside, the church accommodates educational and administrative spaces on a lower level while providing gently terraced parking and a welcoming porch entry. Architectural elements—including pilasters, beams, and patterned flooring—reference the historic church in Bethlehem, while a floating narthex ceiling with constellation-inspired lighting and a full-height glass wall to the sanctuary establish a balance of reverence and transparency. Materials such as brick, stone, and limestone echo permanence and tradition, while the sloped metal roofs and mullioned windows subtly nod to rural vernacular architecture. Distinctive spires rise from the roof ridge, evoking the star of Christ’s birth and serving as a visual and spiritual beacon for the community.
Owner/Client: Diocese of Nashville
Project Location: Spring Hill, Tennessee
Project Type: New Construction | Faith-Based
Building Area: 26,000 sq. ft.
