Trail of Churches Questions

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Cathedral & 100 year old parishes

Cathedral of the Incarnation

Questions:

• What makes a cathedral different from other Churches?
• At the Alter, who are the people standing beside Jesus on the Cross?
• What are some of the symbols found on the ceiling of the Cathedral?
• What is the name of the building next to the church?
• The alter is made of wood and marble. What animal in pictured on the marble?
• There are 3 pictures above the cross (on the cove of the ceiling). One is Jesus, who are in the other pictures?
• Find the 12 th station of the cross. What does the description read below the station?
• There is one stained glass windows with many colors in it. Where is it located?
• At the end of each pew there is a symbol. What is the symbol?
• By the Baptismal Fountain there is a glass window with a cross. What animal is in the center of the cross?
• How many floors in the Bell Tower have pillars?
• Outside you will find a flag pole. The flag pole was erected in honor of whom?

Assumption Church (2nd oldest Church)

Questions:

• On the building you will find when the church was built. When was it built and where on the building did you find the information?
• The Rectory is where the priest lives. When was the Rectory built??
• The building to the left of the church used to be a school. When was the school created?
• The Rectory has what appears to be many small metal twigs above the window and eves. What are they used for?
• How many crosses are on the roof peeks of the church?

Holy Name Church

The first church on this site was called St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church from 1857-1873. In 1873, a new church was built (St. Columba Catholic Church and St. John became a school. In 1881, the St. John church burned down. March 22, 1916 , the East Nashville fire burned down St. Columba, the rectory, the school, the Little Sister of the Poor for the aged and 20 other homes. The existing church was erected in March of 1917 and still stands today.

Questions:

• There is an engraving in one of the corners of the new church. What does it say?
• Father Charles Strobel designed the stained glass windows and the parishioners built the windows. How many stained glass windows are there?
• Each stained glass window has 3 pictures. There is a window with a picture of a Chrism and a Bible, what is the other picture?
• There is a stone Grata outside the church, what statue is in the Grata?
• Above the church main doors there are 3 letters that stand for something in Latin. When translated to English means “Jesus, Savor of Men”. What are the 3 letters?
• Inside the church, there is a statue donated by Marie K. Barrett. The statue is very well done. Who is the statue of?
• Inside the church, there is a display of 3 oils. The first oil (top) is oil of catechumen, the second oil (middle) is the sacred chrism for confirmation and ordinations, and the third oil (bottom) is the oil of infirm used for the anointing of the sick. Each container has a symbol on the glass. Without touching the oil containers, write down the symbols on each container.

Immaculate Conception Church

Questions:

• In what year was the cornerstone laid?
• What popular catholic devotion is provided both inside and outside the Chapel?
• The Blessed mother is depicted in all windows except one. Who appears in that window and what does the window depict?
• A basic Boy Scout symbol is depicted in a number of windows. What is it, how many times do we find it, what is the object and what is the scout symbol?
• Many Catholic scouts have worked on or have earned the Rosary Patch. What Mysteries of the Rosary are depicted in the windows?

Saint Mary of the Seven Sorrows Church (oldest Church)

Questions:

• What can we announce that no other Church in Nashville can proclaim?
• Why have more people died in this Church than any other in Nashville ?
• What does St. Mary’s have that no other Church in Nashville has?
• Saint Mary’s is named for the Seven Sorrows…Where is the statue depicting this?
• When was St. Mary’s built?
• Who was the first Bishop of Nashville?
• This church is the oldest church in Nashville . The flooring in the original flooring. What is it made of?
• In the front of the church there is a long kneeler before the alter. This type of kneeler was standard in most churches until the late 1960’s. What was it used for then and still used for today?
• There are 4 paintings of saints. One of St. John , one of St. Mathew, one of St. Mark and one of St. Luke…where are they located in the church?

St. Patrick (Oldest Parish)

Questions:

• The original Log Cabin Church burnt down. What year did the new church get rebuilt?
• There is a statue between the church and the priest’s home. Who is the statue of?
• In front of the church there is a statue of St. Patrick. St. Patrick’s eyes are looking down at a piece of the original church. What is St. Patrick looking at?
• In the church, there is a a letter framed and hanging on the wall. The letter is a “Decree Designating Saint Patrick, McEwen as a Pilgrimage site for the Jubilee Indulgence”. Who signed the letter?
• St Patrick’s Catholic School was dedicated by the 10 th Bishop of Nashville. Find the dedication plaque and identify who the Bishop was who dedicated the school and the date it was dedicated.
• Directly across from the church is the St. Patrick Cemetery . In 1842, Doctor Fredrick Knapp bought 20,000 acres for the purpose of starting a sheep ranch. He brought with him many Irish immigrants. In 1848, Father Aloysious Orengo, a Dominican Priest, traveling on mission trails, founded this Irish settlement. He was responsible for bringing a number of Irish settlers to this area. Politely walk around the cemetery and try to find the oldest grave stone. Write that persons name down on your sheet of paper along with the date they died. With the rest of your group, say a prayer of thanks for all the Irish settlers and for everything they did to start this parish.

St. Patrick

Questions:

• When was St. Patrick’s Church built?
• Along the top floor of the church there are windows with a cross on them. How many windows have crosses on them?
• At the entrance of the church there is a symbol in the cement (near the steps). What is the symbol?
• Until 1954, what group taught grade school here?
• The church has many stained glass windows. How many large stained glass windows are in the main church area?
• Inside the church, you will find a Baptismal Bath made out of wood. The Baptismal Bath was created in memory of which person?
• (If you look at the side, you will see the top of the Baptismal Bath. Pretty cool wood work, huh?)

St. Phillips Church

Questions:

• St. Phillips surrounds another building on 3 sides. This other building was the first 3 story building ever built in Tennessee . What is the name of that building?
• What statue is in the courtyard (surrounded by a stone wall and bushes)?
• When was the original St. Phillip’s church built?
• The new church was built in which year?
• Inside of St. Phillips you will find the original church. One of the stained glass windows has a picture of a person on it. Who is that person?
• In the original church you will find an Alter. What is it made of?
• The new church has a Baptismal Fountain. What is the symbol at the bottom of the bath area?

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Parishes in the Diocese of Nashville

Christ the King Church

Questions:

• Among the icons on the floor in the center aisle locate the icon known as the caduceus. Describe it.
• Of what famous organization is it the symbol?
• Who are the two Saints in the back corners of the Church?
• On the floor, directly in front of the Altar, are three icons depicting 3 food groups. What are they and what do they symbolize?
• Directly above the crucifix, ‘inside’ the crown, is a legendary bird, symbolizing renewal and resurrection. What’s the name of this bird?

Holy Family Catholic Church

Questions:

• Who is the founding Pastor and in what year did Holy Family start?
• What church gave a picture that hangs outside of the doors going into the worship area?
• What is represented in the prism glass windows, not stained glass around the outside walls of the worship area? Where is the Tabernacle?
• Where is the Holy Water Fount?
• What Church Hosts the Religious Awards Mass each Year?

Saint Ann Church

Questions:

• When was the cornerstone of the present Church laid?
• Who is the large picture on the chapel wall as well in a mosaic on the brick post near the chapel?
• When was the cornerstone of the school laid?
• What statues are in the back of the Church?
• Where is the organ in the church?
• What is next to the Baptismal font in the Church?

Saint Christopher Church

Questions:

• When was the cornerstone of the Church laid?
• There is a statue that stands to the left of the altar. Who is it?
• There is a statue that stands to the right of the altar. Who is it?
• Locate the statue of our patron saint, Saint Christopher. Where is it?
• List the four missionary priests who served as pastor.

Saint Edward Church

Questions:

• What is the shape of the stained glass window above the Risen Christ at the Altar?
• What is the predominant color of the stained glass windows around the Altar?
• At the east end of the north hallway adjacent to the sanctuary is a meeting room named the Carell Room. What is the date on the dedication plaque?
• Located on the campus is a garden path with the Stations of the Cross. Where is this area located with respect to Thompson lane?

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Church

Questions:

• In the church Lobby who is the painting on the wall?
• Inside the church who are the two statues of, that stand on either side of the Crucifix behind the altar?
• Where was the Baptismal fount located in the Church?
• There is a Rosary tree with several Rosaries on it, where about is that located?
• Who is the current Pastor at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton?

Saint Frances Cabrini Church

Questions:

• There are statues to the right of the Altar. Who are they?
• There is a statue of Mary, what is she holding?
• There is a statue of St. Joseph , what is he holding?
• Facing the rear of the Church
• On the right, who is the statue of?
• On the left, who is that statue of?
• In the vestibule there is a black and silver metal plaque. What is the quote on the plaque and where is it from?

Saint Henry Church

Questions:

• When was the Cornerstone of St. Henry Church laid?
• List the Pastors of Saint Henry.
• There are Statues in the garden, to the right of the altar and to the left of the altar. Who do they represent?
• There are monograms on the wooden doors what are they and what do they mean?
• There are many beautiful stained glass windows in Saint Henrys. Starting with the one above the entrance, list what they represent and who is depicted on them all as you face the altar.

Saint Luke Catholic Church

Questions:

• There are two oil paintings in the Church. Name the subjects of the paintings?
• What is the small, marble topped table behind the pews used for?
• Where is the religious articles booth?
• There is a small statue in the garden in the front of the Church. Who is it?
• What ‘structure’ was St. Luke Church originally used as?

Saint Matthew Church

Questions:

• List the Pastors of Saint Matthew’s.
• The bas reliefs in the narthex are of what Saints? What are they known for?
• There is a statue on the front of the church. Who is it?
• There is a print of a famous painting in the Reconciliation Room off the Narthex. What does it depict?
• There are two stained glass windows in the Eucharistic Chapel. Who do they depict?

Saint Paul the Apostle Church

Questions:

• Find the statue of Saint Paul in the narthex. What two items is he holding?
• Look at both sides of the church’s wood doors. What 4 things are in the stained glass? What does each one represent?
• There is a picture of Mary in the back of the church. What is the picture of?
• There is a monument outside of the church. Who is it for and who sponsored it?
• Outside to the left of the church, there is a small grotto. What statue is in the grotto?

Saint Stephen Church

Questions:

• Where was the first St. Stephen located?
• Where was mass held for the first seven years on the present property?
• What structure was built first on the property?
• In the Prayer garden, there is a structure donated by a parishioner in memory of her husband. What is it?
• In the worship space, there is an icon, the only decoration in the space. What three people are depicted on it?
• There is a large gathering space before entering the worship space. What is it called?

Saint Vincent De Paul Church

Questions:

• What Saint founded St. Vincent School in 1932?
• In what year did St. Vincent De Paul become a parish?
• In what year was the cornerstone of the present church building laid
• What are the Sunday Mass times at St. Vincent ’s?
• There is a Statue of a saint in the tall grass around the birdbath on the front lawn. Name this Saint?

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Hints for Successful Completion

Unless you are planning a parish visit immediately before or after a Mass, CALL the parish first! Make sure the parish is open and available. For those Scout Groups who live outside of Nashville . The 4 parishes that are older than 100 years can all be visited on the same day that you visit the Cathedral.

Thank you for your interest and Good luck!

We need your help!

We have questions and answers from many parishes in the Diocese of Nashville. We do not have them for all parishes. Send us 5 or 6 questions about any of the parishes below along with the answers. Please try and make the questions as interesting and parish appropriate as possible. For examples please see the questions listed above. The answers must be relatively easy for the youth to locate, with little effort, upon their visit. Please remember that this patch can be earned by all youth no matter their age or even if they are not in scouting.

This is how you benefit

If you create questions/answers for a parish below, then it will count towards the “Trail of Churches” activity. In addition, you will get one "Trail of Churches" Patch FREE for each new set of questions and answers. Only the first set of questions / answers per Parish will get the free patch. Thank you for your help. Please forward your questions and answers to...

Catholic Committee on Scouting
Trail of Churches
Attn: Harvey Carter
Holy Family Catholic Church
9100 Crockett Road
Brentwood , Tennessee
37027

Parishes that we still need questions for