Who We Are


St. Bartholomew’s (often called St. B’s) is an Episcopal Church started about 75 years ago by the Diocese of Tennessee to serve families living in the Green Hills neighborhood in Nashville. 




St. B’s is a community of people committed to following Jesus Christ by worshiping God, serving those in need, and sharing the Gospel in word and deed together. We are here for the flourishing of others because of the grace and love we have received from Jesus.


We are Biblical, believing that God still speaks to us through the Holy Scriptures. We are Trinitarian, as expressed in the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, which we recite as a reminder of what we believe.


We are liturgical, using the Book of Common Prayer to guide our worship and shape our lives.


We are sacramental, practicing outward and visible signs of grace, given to us by Jesus Christ. The two great sacraments are Holy Baptism and Holy Eucharist.


Our church community is a family of diverse people from different backgrounds. Whoever you are, whatever your life has been like, and wherever you are on your spiritual journey, there is a place for you at St. B’s! 


To Learn more

Our 2023 Annual Report summarizes the mission and ministry of our parish family over an entire year. 

Click the photo below to view last year's report. 

Our History

St. Bartholomew’s was the dream of Bishop E. P. Dandridge who wanted to see the Episcopal Church expand into the rapidly growing Leland neighborhood near Green Hills. Calling upon members of St. George’s in Belle Meade, he acquired both the land for the parish and some of the first families. In 1954 about sixty families living in the area gathered for their first service in the neighborhood Glendale School. Seminary students from the University of the South in Sewanee conducted most Sunday services with Holy Eucharist once a month. St. Bartholomew's quickly outgrew its mission status and was admitted as a parish to the Diocese of Tennessee in 1955.

 

At the dedication service for the sanctuary in 1965, a cross, newspaper, Bible, and Prayer Book was placed in the cornerstone of the nave, symbolically expressing its communal identity as followers of Jesus, bearers of the Good News in the world, and part of the Episcopal Church. Throughout St. B’s history, these principles of faith have been supported through the dedication of nine rectors, each using his unique gifts to lead the church toward spiritual maturity. 


Currently, St. B’s is the third largest church in the Diocese of Tennessee.