Page 10 - Nov-Dec 2019 Vol37 No5

KNOXVILLE By Laurie Ryskamp
Sacred Heart Cathedral
Site Improvements & Stream Restoration

On March 3, 2018, the Cathedral of
the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in West
Knoxville dedicated a special Mass by
Bishop Richard F. Stika to celebrate
its opening. Over a thousand people
attended this monumental occasion to
commemorate the new church of the
Diocese of Knoxville.
Fourth Creek Remediation

Years prior to the celebration, in 2013,
BarberMcMurry Architects (BMA)
partnered with Cannon & Cannon, Inc.
(CCI), becoming the Civil Engineer
of Record to assist in the design and
detailing of the Cathedral. This portion
of the project entailed the remediation
of Fourth Creek, which runs adjacent to
Northshore Drive – restricting driveway
access – since Fourth Creek is subject to
high flood elevations that are erosive to
the stream banks along Northshore.

These site improvements were crucial in
order to maintain the beauty and integrity
of the stream bank. A church campus
is more than just a project – it is not
only a place of worship; but also a place
that holds school activities, ceremonies,
holidays, weddings and funerals that
are special memories in the lives of
community members.
Environmental Variables

Due to the proposed cathedral, parking
and site improvements, additional

10 TPW November/December 2019