Inside the massive new Sacred Heart Cathedral, hand-drawn canvasses cover the ceiling, and marble straight from Europe stands side-by-side with local wood work.
"My hope is when people walk through the doors of the church, they really look and they’re just inspired," said Father David Boettner, Vicar General Diocese of Knoxville and pastor at the church on Northshore Drive. "The church itself is intended to be the tangible sign of Christ present in the world."
The $32 million project broke ground in 2015, and is scheduled to open on March 3, 2018.
As the diocese grows, the cathedral will be the crowning jewel of the Catholic Church in East Tennessee.
A 45-foot tall botticino canopy stands over the alter, and a seven story ceiling lets natural light into the cathedral.
"It’s a huge deal," Boettner said. "It signifies for us the dwelling of God, the Holy of Holies here."